Long Island Cheese Squash (Cucurbita moschata)
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Purchased (Seed Savers Exchange)
Life Cycle
Annual
Category
Pack Date
Vegetable (Squash)
2021
Requirements
Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out.
Planting depth 1". 6-8 seeds per hill. Thin to 3-4 plants per hill. Full sun.
Seed Saving
The best squash must be chosen at full maturity. Remove the seeds, separate from pulp and rinse remainder of pulp off. Cure thoroughly by laying seeds out on a screen or paper plate. Seeds are fully cured when outside shell has hardened.
Additional Info
This East Coast historic variety-- long remembered as a great pie squash by people in NY & NJ -- was mentioned as early as 1806 by Bernard McMahon of Philadelphia. Named for its resemblance to a wheel of cheese, the flattened, ribbed, buff-colored pumpkins with sweet, deep-orange flesh average 6-12 pounds. This variety is also a good keeper. 90-100 days.