Sweet Dumpling Winter Squash
Sweet Dumpling Winter Squash
Cucurbita pepo
85 to 100 days — 'Sweet Dumpling' vines are a medium length, reaching around five to six feet. Fruit are small, ivory-colored with dark green stripes, ribbed, round with flattened tops, and weigh up to one pound. The flesh is bright orange, tender, and very sweet. They store well for up to four months, and reportedly do not require curing. Originally bred and introduced by Johnny's Selected Seed. Each packet contains three grams, which is approximately 40 seeds.
Here in the Maritime Northwest, it is common to plant seeds in hills. The hills are created by mounding up the soil about four to six inches high, twenty-four inches across at the base and flattened on the top. This allows the soil to be better warmed by the sun and provides better protection from heavy rain.
Sow five to six seeds, one inch deep, in hills or rows. Spacing is dependent on plant type. Vining varieties should be spaced on six foot centers while bush-types at twenty-four to thirty inches apart. When seeds germinate, cut off all but the strongest three or four seedlings.
When laying out your garden, remember to consider the growing habits of the varieties that you are planting. Some bush-types are compact while some vining types require a tremendous amount of space. Harvest time will also vary by type.
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