{"product_id":"cucurbita-maxima-squash-queensland-blue-seeds","title":"Squash Queensland Blue - 5 seeds - Pumpkin Vegetable seeds","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"max-width:900px;margin:0 auto;font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;color:#3a3a3a;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:30px;text-align:center;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;margin:10px 0 8px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cem\u003eCucurbita maxima\u003c\/em\u003e 'Queensland Blue'\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:17px;line-height:1.4;color:#666;text-align:center;margin:0 0 12px;\"\u003e\n    Traditional Australian winter squash with sweet orange flesh and distinctive blue-grey skin\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"width:80px;height:4px;background:#7FBF3F;border-radius:999px;margin:0 auto 24px;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cp style=\"font-size:18px;text-align:center;margin:0 0 18px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cem\u003eCucurbita maxima\u003c\/em\u003e 'Queensland Blue' is a traditional Australian winter squash producing impressive, deeply ribbed fruits with distinctive slate-blue to blue-grey skin and rich orange flesh. The dense flesh has an excellent sweet, rich flavour and is particularly well suited to roasting, baking, soups and other autumn and winter dishes.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp style=\"font-size:18px;text-align:center;margin:0 0 18px;\"\u003e\n    A vigorous trailing variety, Queensland Blue produces substantial fruits with excellent keeping qualities when allowed to mature fully and properly cured after harvest. Plants thrive in rich soil and a warm, sunny position, making this an excellent choice for allotments and productive kitchen gardens where there is plenty of space for the vigorous vines.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:22px;text-align:center;font-weight:normal;margin:34px 0 10px;\"\u003e\n    Why You'll Love It\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"width:80px;height:4px;background:#7FBF3F;border-radius:999px;margin:0 auto 22px;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:18px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Distinctive deeply ribbed, slate-blue to blue-grey fruits\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Dense, sweet orange flesh with excellent culinary quality\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Superb winter squash for roasting, baking and soups\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Excellent storage qualities after proper curing\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Traditional Australian heritage variety\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:22px;text-align:center;font-weight:normal;margin:34px 0 10px;\"\u003e\n    Ideal For\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"width:80px;height:4px;background:#7FBF3F;border-radius:999px;margin:0 auto 22px;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:18px;\"\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Kitchen gardens\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Allotments\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Autumn and winter cooking\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Growing vegetables for storage\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:3px 0;\"\u003e● Large sunny vegetable beds\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:22px;text-align:center;font-weight:normal;margin:34px 0 10px;\"\u003e\n    How to Sow \u0026amp; Grow (UK)\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"width:80px;height:4px;background:#7FBF3F;border-radius:999px;margin:0 auto 22px;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;border-radius:8px;overflow:hidden;font-size:16px;\"\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eSow indoors:\u003c\/strong\u003e April–May, individually in pots\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003ePlant out:\u003c\/strong\u003e June, after hardening off and once all risk of frost has passed\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eDirect outdoors:\u003c\/strong\u003e May–June, after the last frost and once the soil has warmed\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e September–October, before the first frost\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eLife cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Frost-tender annual\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eGermination temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18–25°C (64–77°F)\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eAverage germination time:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–10 days\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eDepth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15–20 mm (½–¾ in); sow seeds on their side and cover with compost\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eLight required:\u003c\/strong\u003e No – seeds are covered for germination\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eMoisture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep compost evenly moist during germination; water regularly during active growth and fruit development\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eEnvironment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun in a warm, sheltered position\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eSoil type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich, fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003ePlant spacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 90–120 cm (3–4 ft)\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv style=\"padding:11px 15px;\"\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eMature spread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.5–3 m+ (8–10 ft+) trailing vines\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:22px;text-align:center;font-weight:normal;margin:34px 0 10px;\"\u003e\n    Expert Growing Tips\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"width:80px;height:4px;background:#7FBF3F;border-radius:999px;margin:0 auto 22px;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv style=\"font-size:18px;\"\u003e\n\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;\"\u003e\n      ● Sow seeds individually in pots and place them on their side approximately 1.5–2 cm deep, reducing unnecessary root disturbance before planting out.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;\"\u003e\n      ● Prepare the final planting position with plenty of well-rotted organic matter, as Queensland Blue is a vigorous, hungry crop that performs best in fertile soil.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;\"\u003e\n      ● Water deeply and consistently during flowering and fruit development, directing water towards the soil rather than over the foliage.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;\"\u003e\n      ● Raise developing fruits slightly off damp soil using a board, tile or similar dry surface to reduce prolonged contact with wet ground.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n    \u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;\"\u003e\n      ● Harvest mature fruits with a section of stalk attached and cure them before storage; fully matured Queensland Blue is particularly valued for its excellent keeping qualities.\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Happy Green Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51673522930002,"sku":"P245 - Pumkin Queensland","price":1.3,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/1896\/9426\/files\/P245_1.jpg?v=1759751064","url":"https:\/\/happygreenshop.co.uk\/products\/cucurbita-maxima-squash-queensland-blue-seeds","provider":"Happy Green Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}