Cucurbita argyrosperma
If you get starry eyed at the thought of oversized garden vegetable , cushaw squash will not disappoint .
get on vigorous vine , cushaw crush fruits are large and yummy .
And since you wo n’t likely find them on pass at the food market store or farmer ’s market , verify to save a touch in your garden so you could spring up your own !
Photo by Raquel Smith.
bring out crookneck - mold fruits that count 10 to 20 pound each and reach a foot to a foot and a half in distance , cushaws are apprize for their meaty , moist , and slightly sweet yellow to orange anatomy .
It ’s ideal for transforming into savoury and sweet stunner alike .
And since they can be harvest young or set aside to mature for winter storage , cushaw provide a flexile and long - lasting food source .
Photo by Raquel Smith.
In ourguide to develop winter squash , we deal the basics of how to cultivate these cucurbits in your garden .
Are you quick to learn the specifics for how to turn cushaw squash ? Here ’s what we ’ll cut across :
What You’ll Learn
Quick Look
How to Sow
How to Grow
cultivar to choose
Pests and Disease
harvest home
Preserving
Cooking approximation
Cushaw squash(Cucurbita argyrosperma)were domesticated several thousand years ago in Central America .
Eventually they made their way northward where they have long been used by Native Americans in the southern part of the US .
Common name(s):Cushaw , kershaw , silvery seed squelch , sweet potato pumpkin
works type : Annual vining vegetable
Hardiness ( USDA Zone):3 - 10
Native to : Central America
heyday time / time of year : summertime
Exposure : Full Lord’s Day
Soil eccentric : Loamy , organically - rich , well draining
Soil pH:6.0 - 7.0 , slightly acidic to inert
clip to maturity:90 - 120 days
Spacing : 3 - 4 feet
Planting depth:1/4 in ( come )
Mature size:8 - 30 feet encompassing x 12 inch high
Water pauperization : Moderate
Taxonomy
Order : Cucurbitales
Family : Cucurbitaceae
Genus : Cucurbita
specie : Argyrosperma
Also known askershawandsweet potato autumn pumpkin , in the present day cushaw crush remains an authoritative food in southwest Native American , southerly Appalachian , and Louisiana Creole cuisines .
In fact , this member of the cucurbit sept is considered one of thebest case of wintertime squashfor cookery .
Cushaws resemblecrookneck crush , with narrow , curved “ necks ” and bulbous bases .
The skin or rind is generally cream colored with green bar or mottling , though this can vary depending on the cultivar .
They develop on foresightful vines and are ordinarily ready to harvest after 90 to 120 days .
These plants require warm temperature to flourish , so do n’t seed or transplantation until after the last springtime freeze .
you’re able to choose to start your semen indoors to get a jump on the growing time of year , or unmediated sow outdoors , after all hazard of freeze has passed .
To direct - sow outdoors :
lineal sowing is preferred to starting indoors and transplanting , as these plants by and large do n’t enjoy having their roots disturbed .
However , if you have a short growing season you may desire tostart seed indoorsfour weeks prior to the last average frost particular date .
In addition to ejaculate , you will needsuitable produce mediumand three- to four - inch biodegradableseed start peck or celled trays .
Wait until the last frost engagement has passed , then harden off the seedling before transplanting to acclimate the untried plants to outside weather conditions .
Transplanting
Transplant your cushaw seedlings on a cloudy day or await until the heat of the daylight has occur to avoid planting under bright sun or in intense heat .
Water the newly transplanted seedling at the grease level , and keep them evenly moist while they become established .
If you ’ve never grown winter squash rackets before , you ’re in for some gardening fun . Here ’s what you ’ll need to know about these fast growers :
Climate
Cushaw squeeze are raw to ice so plants will be damage or wipe out when temperatures drop below freeze .
So be trusted to wait to sow or transfer until after the risk of frost has passed in your location .
And when autumn undulate around , consider usingfloating rowing coversto extend the time of year !
Light
Are you wondering if you have enough sunlight to grow cushaw squash ? The plants call for afull sunlocation , which means six to eight hour of direct sunlight per sidereal day .
Soil
Cushaw crush thrive in distinctive garden territory with a loamy texture and a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0 .
The plants prefer soil that has passel of organic matter – so do n’t forget to work some well - rottedcompostinto the soil before sow seeds or transplanting .
Water
How often to body of water will depend on your weather , climate , and other grow condition , so keep in mind that cushaw squash like moist soil – but not soil that is waterlogged or waterlogged .
In the absence of rainwater , water about once a week when temperatures are in the 70 . You may need to increase to two or three times a week during heatwaves .
piss profoundly and evenly at dirt level . fend off get down wet on the foliage which can promote fungal infection .
you could give a layer of mulch around the plants to help keep weeds down and retain moisture .
Fertilizing
You do n’t require to employ plant food to your cushaw squash , especially if you sour compost into the soil at planting time .
Once or double during the growing time of year , side attire with extra compost to give the plants a nutrient boost .
Ready to pick a Cucurbita mixta for your garden ? Here are some of the most popular varieties :
Cushaw White
Also known as ‘ Jonathan Pumpkin , ’ ‘ Cushaw White ’ has white-hot skin and sweet , pallid orange flesh .
The fruit of this heirloom weigh in at 20 to 30 punt and reach out maturity in 85 to 110 Clarence Day .
‘ Cushaw White ’
break up up some ‘ Cushaw White ’ seeds in your option of packet sizesfrom True Leaf Market .
Green Striped
The green striped cushaw is the most wide grow and popular type of cushaw squash , and it is included in the Slow Food Foundation ’s Ark of Taste .
The fruits have light yellow-bellied flesh with a intermediate coarse texture .
The white and green striped fruit of this heirloom attain up to 25 pounds and get on in 90 to 110 days .
You ’ll bump an assortment of packet size of it of green despoil cushaw seedsat Eden Brothers .
Orange Stripe
With fruits reaching up to 30 pounds each , ‘ Orange Stripe ’ cushaw squash have – as the name indicate – orange banding on creamy hide , and golden flesh with a fine texture .
‘ Orange Stripe ’
direct to True Leaf Marketfor ‘ Orange Stripe ’ Cucurbita argyrosperma crush seed in a variety of packet sizes .
Managing Pests and Disease
Like all winter squash rackets , there are a number of pests and disease problem to contend with during the growing season .
Here ’s what you ’ll need to ascertain for :
Herbivores
You may be visit by other sorts of hungry mammalian , but the most common garden visitors tend to be cervid and rabbits .
The good way to keep deer from annihilate your cushaw vines is to putfencing around your garden .
While a tall fencing is needed to keep out deer , you ’ll only require a short fencing with small mesh topology to preventrabbitsfrom slipping through .
Pests
You ’ll be felicitous to have it off that this particular eccentric has good immunity to squeeze vine woodborer .
However , there remain a few louse pests you ’ll need to keep an eye out for :
Small yellow beetles with black stripes or blot on their backs , cucumber beetle are so precious it ’s almost hard to be huffy at them when they start chew up your garden plants .
Not specify themselves tocucumber plants , these beetle will also feed on other members of the cucurbit family – include cushaw squash .
In addition to prejudicial plant straightaway , these pests can also circulate diseases , leave you with an unwanted , two - for - one pest and disease special .
Learn how to manage cucumber vine beetles here .
Are there tiny discolorations on the leafage that makes the leaves look evanesce and slightly wan ? This could be stippling from spider mites .
Not insects but arachnids , spider tinge suck nutrient from plants .
They tend to congregate on the underside of leaves , and when there ’s an plague , you ’ll notice webs as well .
These pests can often be removed with a hard atomiser of the garden hose .
Our guide to controlling spider miteshas more selective information .
Squash bugs can feast on cushaw botany , which damage and can eventually cause the plants to die .
The best way to deal with these pests is to beak them – and their eggs – off by hand .
Lift the leaves and curb the undersides where the pocket-sized , glossy , orange or bronze testis are usually cover – and destroy them to prevent novel brood .
As for the adults , they are well-to-do to see when watering , and their young are recognizable by their light unripened or bright grey bodies and skinny black leg .
you may also keep pestilence populations down by usingcompanion plantsto attractbeneficial insect .
pick up more about squash bugs here .
Disease
There are several diseases that unremarkably affect these cucurbits . Here ’s what to look out for :
If the fruits are rotting on the vine rather than growing ever large , consider heyday - end rot as the likely problem .
This is not actually a disease , but a physiological consideration as a result of a calcium insufficiency .
It ’s not as childlike as bring calcium to the grunge , since in general the want is a result of the plant being unable to absorb calcium effectively – inconsistent tearing can contribute .
Read about blossom - end rotting in zucchini for guidance .
make distorted leaves and a yellow mosaic design on foliage , squash mosaic computer virus is spread by insects such as Cucumis sativus beetles .
If you suspect that mosaic virus is affecting your crop reach your local conjunct extension to verify the trouble since weed killer injury can do similar symptoms .
If mosaic computer virus is indeed the egress , remove and put down all affected plants and debris – do n’t compost it to forfend spreading the disease .
Do your plants wait like they were dusted with flour ?
Powdery mold is a fungal disease that takes place when weather is humid but modest . It ’s highly common and easy to care for .
Ourguide to powdery mildew controlhas all the details .
you could savour cushaws as a summertime squash by harvesting ahead of time , while the immature fruits have mild rind .
To glean , snaffle a uncontaminating tongue and cut through the stem , in the same way you wouldharvest zucchini .
For winter squash vine that will keep throughout the cold month , allow the rind to indurate and the vine to turn brownish before removing the fruits .
Allow these long steward to cure outside in the sunlight for a workweek before move them into cool store .
There are various ways to preserve these vegetables , you’re able to choose from cool storage , pickling , freezing , dehydrating , and canning .
you’re able to store these cucurbit for up to six month in a coolheaded positioning such as an unheated cellar , garage , or a root cellar .
propose for temperature of 50 to 60 ° F and a relative humidity of 50 to 70 per centum .
If you ’re interested in canning , be certain to only can the cube flesh because when it ’s pureed or flirt it is not considered safe from the risk of botulism .
And be sure to utilise a pressure canner ! Need more counseling on this method ?
Find tips for pressure canning onour sister site , Foodal .
you could also pickle cushaw squash , which can either be canned or lacto - fermented for healthful , probiotic benefit . you could also dice some up and contribute it to a lacto - ferment salsa .
take a formula ? capitulum toour sister web site , Foodalfor guidance on making a homemade lacto - turn salsa .
Need to freeze some remnant cushaw ? First cook the flesh until soft , then stash away it in your favorite Deepfreeze safe container for up to a year .
And if you want to transform your harvest into a snack solid food or pantry staple for bestow to winter soups , you’re able to also consider dehydrating some of the flesh .
Our pathfinder to dehydrating garden producehas more data .
Use cushaw squash as a fill-in for any recipe that calls for wintertime squash orpumpkin .
In southerly Appalachia , these vegetables are used to make cushaw butter ( similar to pumpkin butter ) as well as Proto-Indo European filling .
If you need a pie formula , why not borrow this pumpkin pie formula fromour sister site , Foodaland make it with Cucurbita mixta ? Oh and by the way , it ’s vegan .
Or how about a savory snack ? Add fix cushaw mash to hummus , following this recipe , alsoon Foodal .
And since your cushaw harvest will have you crave fall feeling , why not sample an earthy and warming meal of roast squash with black rice and miso dressing ?
You ’ll determine the recipeon Foodal .
Cheers to Our Copious Cushaws
After read this guide , you should be all fix to spring up these extra - large winter keepers !
Do you have a particular link to the fabulous Cucurbita argyrosperma ? Or are you arise them plainly for the pleasure of trying something fresh ?
Want tokeep learning about growing squashin your garden ? We have more reading for you right here :
Photo by Raquel Smith © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . merchandise pic via Eden Brothers and True Leaf Market . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
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Kristina Hicks - Hamblin
