Squash & Pumpkin Seeds

Squash 'Marina di Chioggia' – Seeds (Cucurbita maxima)

The 'Marina di Chioggia' squash is a traditional Italian heirloom variety, prized for its rugged, dark green, warty skin and rich, sweet orange flesh. Originating from the coastal town of Chioggia near Venice, this unique pumpkin has been a staple in Italian markets for centuries and is still beloved today for its superb flavor in soups, gnocchi, risottos, and baking.

Its fruits are typically 3–5 kg, round, and deeply ribbed, with a long storage life that makes them excellent for use throughout the winter months. A true standout in the garden and kitchen alike!

How to Grow

. Sow indoors: April – May in pots, 2–3 cm deep
. Transplant outdoors: Late May – June, after frost risk has passed
. Sow outdoors: May – June, directly in the ground
. Spacing: 1 m apart in rich, well-drained soil
. Harvest: September – October, when fruits are fully ripened

Key Features

. Italian heirloom pumpkin with striking warty skin
. Fruits weigh 3–5 kg, perfect for storage
. Sweet, dense, orange flesh – ideal for roasting, soups & baking
. Long-keeping winter squash
. Traditional variety still popular in Venice markets

Ideal For

. Traditional and heritage vegetable gardens
. Chefs and home cooks seeking authentic Italian flavors
. Long-term winter storage
. Eye-catching display in kitchen gardens and autumn harvests

Sowing & Harvesting

. Sow: April – June
. Harvest: September – October

Quick Tip

For best results, feed regularly with compost or organic fertilizer and allow fruits to ripen fully on the vine for maximum sweetness.

🎃 Cucurbita maxima Winter Squash ‘Burgess Buttercup’ – Sweet, Dense, Nutty Flesh with Excellent Winter Storage

‘Burgess Buttercup’ is a classic heirloom winter squash producing dark green, turban-shaped fruits with a distinctive grey “button” on top. The rich orange flesh is exceptionally sweet, dense, smooth and nutty, making it one of the best varieties for roasting, soups, mashing, and baking. Each fruit typically weighs 1.5–2.5 kg (3–5 lb) and stores extremely well through winter. Vigorous vines produce reliable yields and thrive in warm, sunny positions.

Key Features

● Exceptionally sweet, dense, nutty orange flesh

● Excellent winter storage variety

● Vigorous vines with high productivity

● Ideal for roasting, soups, baking, and purées

How to Sow & Grow Winter Squash ‘Burgess Buttercup’ (Cucurbita maxima) – UK

Sow indoors: IV–V (April–May) in pots

Transplant outdoors: V–VI (May–June) once frost danger has passed

Direct outdoors: V–VI (May–June) in warm, prepared soil

Harvest: IX–X (September–October)

Germination temperature: 20–25 °C (68–77 °F)

Average germ time: 7–14 days

Depth: 2–3 cm (¾–1¼ in)

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Keep soil evenly moist

Environment: Full sun

Soil type: Rich, fertile, moisture-retentive soil

Plant spacing: 1.5–2 m (5–6.5 ft)

Vine length: 2–3 m (6.5–10 ft)

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Start indoors for earlier fruit set, especially in cooler regions.

● Mulch generously to retain moisture and support large fruits.

● Feed regularly once vines begin running.

● Harvest when rind hardens and the stem becomes corky.

● Cure fruits for 10–14 days in a warm, airy place to improve storage.

Special Features

● Outstanding winter keeper with rich gourmet flavour

● Dense, dry flesh perfect for roasting and baking

Oil Squash 'Olga' Pumpkin – Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

The Oil Squash 'Olga' is a versatile pumpkin variety prized for its dense, flavorful flesh and high oil content. Ideal for culinary use, soups, baking, or roasting, 'Olga' produces medium to large, round fruits with smooth skin and rich, orange flesh.

This vigorous plant grows well in garden beds or allotments, providing reliable yields throughout the season. Its robust growth habit and excellent storage qualities make it a practical choice for home gardeners seeking both taste and productivity.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: April – May after last frost

• Plant spacing: 100–120 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost

• Care: Water regularly and mulch to retain moisture; remove weeds to support healthy growth

Key Features

• Medium to large, round pumpkins with smooth skin

• Dense, flavorful flesh ideal for oil extraction, cooking, or baking

• High-yielding and vigorous plants

• Good storage qualities for long-term use

• Suitable for garden beds or allotments

Harvest

• Harvesting period: 90–120 days after sowing

• Pick when the skin is fully colored and hard; store in a dry, cool place.

Short Tip

Allow fruits to fully ripen on the vine for maximum flavor and oil content.

Cucurbita pepo ‘Early Summer Crookneck’ – Classic Early Summer Squash with Tender Yellow Fruits

‘Early Summer Crookneck’ is a traditional summer squash variety valued for its bright yellow fruits with a distinctive curved neck and smooth to lightly textured skin. Harvested young, the squash has tender, mild-flavoured flesh, ideal for sautéing, grilling, roasting and stuffing. This variety is early to mature, highly productive, and dependable in warm conditions, making it a staple for home gardens and allotments.

Key Features

● Early-maturing summer squash variety

● Bright yellow fruits with characteristic curved neck

● Best harvested young for tender texture

● High-yielding and reliable producer

● Excellent for a wide range of culinary uses

How to Sow & Grow Squash ‘Early Summer Crookneck’ (UK)

Sow indoors: IV (April)

Transplant outdoors: V–VI (May–June) after last frost

Direct outdoors: V–VI (May–June) once soil is warm

Harvest: VI–IX (June–September)

Life cycle: Annual

Germination temperature: 18–24 °C (64–75 °F)

Average germ time: 7–10 days

Depth: 2–3 cm (1 in)

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Regular watering, especially during fruiting

Environment: Full sun

Soil type: Fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter

Plant spacing: 80–100 cm (2.5–3 ft)

Growth habit: Bush type

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Harvest fruits at 10–15 cm (4–6 in) for best flavour.

● Pick regularly to encourage continuous production.

● Avoid letting fruits grow oversized, which reduces quality.

● Feed and water consistently during peak growth.

● Bush habit makes plants easy to manage in smaller spaces.

Special Features

● Classic heirloom summer squash

● Fast-growing with extended harvest period

● Ideal for fresh summer cooking

Carving Pumpkin ‘Connecticut Field’ Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

Grow classic, large pumpkins with Carving Pumpkin ‘Connecticut Field’ (Cucurbita pepo). This traditional variety produces robust, round-to-flattened fruits perfect for Halloween carving, autumn decorations, and cooking. Easy to grow and highly productive, it’s ideal for home gardens, allotments, and family pumpkin projects.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors after frost risk has passed.

• Use fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.

• Sow seeds 2–3 cm deep and thin seedlings to 90–120 cm apart.

• Provide ample space for sprawling vines and regular watering.

• Harvest pumpkins when fully orange, firm, and the skin resists pressure.

Key Features

• Large, round-to-flattened pumpkins

• Ideal for carving, decoration, and cooking

• Hardy, easy to grow, and highly productive

• Classic autumn pumpkin variety

• Suitable for home gardens, allotments, and family projects

Ideal For

• Halloween carving and festive decoration

• Autumn cooking, soups, and baking

• Vegetable gardens and allotments

• Family and community gardening projects

Sowing

• Best time: 3–4 weeks before last frost indoors or after frost outdoors

• Depth: 2–3 cm

• Spacing: 90–120 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Mulch around the base of plants to retain moisture and prevent soil-borne diseases.

🎃 Cucurbita maxima ‘Pacific Giant’ – Exhibition Giant Pumpkin for Extreme Size

‘Pacific Giant’ is a classic giant pumpkin variety bred specifically for producing exceptionally large fruits, making it a popular choice for exhibitions, competitions and growers aiming for maximum size. With vigorous growth and long trailing vines, this variety is capable of producing massive pumpkins when given rich soil, ample space and consistent feeding.

The fruits are typically large, round to slightly flattened, with a smooth orange rind. While mainly grown for size rather than flavour, ‘Pacific Giant’ is an impressive centrepiece in the garden and a favourite among competitive growers.

Key Features

● Giant pumpkin variety bred for extreme size

● Ideal for shows, competitions and exhibitions

● Very vigorous growth with long trailing vines

● Large, round to flattened fruits

● Requires space, feeding and regular watering

How to Sow & Grow Pumpkin ‘Pacific Giant’ (UK)

Sow indoors: IV (April)

Transplant outdoors: V–VI (May–June) after last frost

Direct outdoors: V–VI (May–June) once soil is warm

Harvest: IX–X (September–October)

Life cycle: Annual

Germination temperature: 20–25 °C (68–77 °F)

Average germ time: 7–10 days

Depth: 2–3 cm (1 in)

Light required: Yes

Moisture: Heavy, regular watering

Environment: Full sun

Soil type: Very fertile, deep soil rich in organic matter

Plant spacing: 120–150 cm (4–5 ft)

Growth habit: Long trailing vines

Sowing & Growing Tips (variety-specific)

● Prepare soil with plenty of compost or well-rotted manure.

● Allow only 1–2 fruits per plant to maximise size.

● Feed regularly with a high-potassium fertiliser during fruit development.

● Turn fruits gently during growth to improve shape.

● Lift fruits onto straw or boards to prevent rot.

Squash ‘Spaghetti’ Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

Grow unique, versatile vegetables with Squash ‘Spaghetti’ (Cucurbita pepo). This climbing variety produces medium-sized, oblong fruits with pale yellow skin and stringy flesh that separates into spaghetti-like strands when cooked. Perfect for healthy, low-carb meals, it’s easy to grow in home gardens, allotments, or large containers.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors after frost risk has passed.

• Use fertile, well-drained soil in full sun.

• Sow seeds 2–3 cm deep and thin seedlings to 90–120 cm apart.

• Provide support or allow vines to spread; water consistently.

• Harvest fruits when skin is hard, fully colored, and seeds are mature.

Key Features

• Medium-sized, oblong fruits with stringy, spaghetti-like flesh

• Unique and versatile for healthy cooking

• Easy to grow and highly productive

• Ideal for home gardens, allotments, or large containers

• Distinctive low-carb vegetable for culinary use

Ideal For

• Fresh cooking, roasting, and low-carb meals

• Vegetable gardens, raised beds, and allotments

• Large containers or trellis-supported vines

• Family-friendly gardening and homegrown produce

Sowing

• Best time: 3–4 weeks before last frost indoors or after frost outdoors

• Depth: 2–3 cm

• Spacing: 90–120 cm apart

• Prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Harvest when fully mature and allow to cool; the flesh separates easily into spaghetti-like strands when cooked.

Pumpkin 'Rouge d'Etampes' – Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

The Pumpkin 'Rouge d'Etampes', also known as the Cinderella Pumpkin, is a stunning French heirloom variety prized for its large, flattened, deeply ribbed fruits with a vivid red-orange skin. Traditionally grown in the Paris region, it is famous for both its striking ornamental appeal and its delicious, sweet, fine-grained flesh.

Perfect for roasting, soups, pies, and preserves, it’s also a favourite for autumn displays thanks to its dramatic shape and colour.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: April – May, in pots

• Sow outdoors: Late May – June, after last frost

• Planting distance: 100 cm apart

• Soil: Rich, fertile, well-drained soil with added compost or manure

• Position: Full sun

• Care: Keep well-watered, mulch to retain soil moisture, and provide space for trailing vines

Key Features

• Traditional French heirloom pumpkin

• Beautiful flattened, ribbed, red-orange fruits

• Excellent sweet flavour for roasting, soups, and pies

• Dual purpose – culinary and ornamental

• Large fruits with good yields

Sowing & Harvest

• Sow: April – June

• Harvest: September – October

Pumpkin ‘Gourd Flat Striped’ Seeds (Cucurbita pepo)

Pumpkin ‘Gourd Flat Striped’ is an ornamental pumpkin variety with unique flat, round fruits striped in vibrant shades of green, cream, and orange. Ideal for fall displays, autumn decorations, and garden aesthetics, this easy-to-grow variety adds character to any harvest garden. Hardy and fast-growing, it thrives in sunny, well-drained soil.

What Makes It Special

• Unique flat, round fruits with attractive stripes

• Perfect for ornamental use, autumn displays, and decorations

• Hardy, easy to grow, and fast-maturing

Key Features

• Botanical name: Cucurbita pepo

• Annual

• Height: Vining, 2–3 m spread

• Fruit: Flat, striped, ornamental

Ideal For

• Autumn and harvest decorations

• Garden display and ornamental planting

• Pollinator-friendly vegetable gardens

Sowing

• Sow indoors Mar–Apr or outdoors after last frost

• Cover seeds lightly with soil

• Germination: 7–14 days at 20–25°C

• Space plants 80–100 cm apart

• Harvest fruits 90–100 days after sowing