(Butternut Squash, Waltham Butternut Squash)

Winner of the 1970 All-America Selections award, 'Waltham Butternut' bears large, bottle-shaped squash with smooth, tan skin and deep orange, richly flavored flesh surrounding a very small seed cavity. The fruits are excellent for roasting, steaming, and pies, and will keep for several months if stored properly. They are borne on vigorous, mildew and borer resistant, semi-bush plants, and ripen approximately 95 days from sowing.

Like many winter squash, ‘Waltham Butternut’ is derived from the...

(Acorn Squash, Courgette, Crookneck Squash, Pattypan Squash, Spaghetti Squash, Summer Squash, Zucchini)

The species Cucurbita pepo has been cultivated since ancient times by Native Americans, and includes true pumpkins and winter gourds as well as many varieties of summer squash and zucchini. These popular vegetables (technically fruits) are warm season annual vines, although compact bush-type varieties have been developed. They are New World plants grown widely by many cultures throughout the world and appear in a fantastic array of colors, shapes and sizes.

The plants are monoecious,...

(Amberpic Summer Squash, Summer Squash)

The medium-sized fruits of this hybrid straightneck-type summer squash are elongated and plump with firm yet tender, pale buttery-yellow skin. The dense, smooth white flesh has superior flavor, and surrounds a very small seed cavity. Fruits are ready for harvest approximately 40 days from sowing, and should be picked often and early for best yields.

Summer squash are grown for their immature fruits harvested early in the season. Many cultivars, including ‘Amberpic’, are derived from the New...

(Astia Zucchini, Zucchini)

The flavorful, dark green fruits of this bush zucchini are borne on compact plants that mature at 2 to 3 feet (60 to 90 cm) tall and wide. The long-stalked, gray-green, silver-blotched leaves arise from a stubby central "stalk." The flowers and the ensuing cylindrical fruits are produced at the bases of the leaves. Crisp and mild-flavored, the fruits are excellent sautéed, baked, or steamed. They can also be sliced into salads. Fruits are best at about 5-inches-long (13 cm). This French variety grows...

(Autumn Gold Pumpkin, Pumpkin)

A 1987 All American Selection Winner, ‘Autumn Gold’ is a vigorous pumpkin with an upright to rounded classic pumpkin shape. Its golden orange fruits are shallowly ribbed and ideal for Jack-o-lanterns, and the golden-yellow flesh is sweet and good for pies. They ripen approximately 90 days from sowing.

True pumpkins, including ‘Autumn Gold’ are members of the New World species Cucurbita pepo. These warm season, annual vines are monoecious, meaning single plants bear separate male...

(Miniature Pumpkin)

Delightful for adults and small children alike, ‘Baby Bear’ produces a generous crop of miniature, perfectly proportioned pumpkins with long, twisting stems and bright orange skin. Borne on full-sized vines, the long-keeping fruits have sweet, delicious flesh and semi-hulless seeds which are perfect for roasting. This cultivar won the prestigious All-America Selections award in 1993. It is ready for harvest approximately 105 days from sowing.

Like other true pumpkins, ‘Baby Bear’ is a member...

(Miniature Pumpkin)

Lending itself perfectly to fanciful fall decorating schemes; ‘Baby Boo’ produces loads of pure white, perfectly proportioned, miniature “pumpkins” which are a delight to adults and children alike. The tiny, squat, deeply ribbed fruits are borne on trailing plants approximately 95 days from sowing.

Like many winter squash, ‘Baby Boo’ is derived from the New World species Cucurbita pepo. These warm season, annual vines are monoecious, meaning single plants bear separate male and female...

(Pumpkin)

Perfect for baking and fall decorating, ‘Baby Pam’ produces good yields of small, globe-shaped fruits with thick, sturdy stems and bright orange skin. The dense, sweet flesh is outstanding for pies. Fruits are ready for harvest approximately 105 days from sowing.

Like other true pumpkins, ‘Baby Pam’ is a member of the New World species Cucurbita pepo. These warm season, annual vines are monoecious, meaning single plants bear separate male and female flowers. The large, yellow, funnel...

(Bicolor Pear Gourd, Ornamental Gourd)

An heirloom, ‘Bicolor Pear’ produces lots of small, pear-shaped gourds which are deep green on the bottom, contrasting with brilliant yellow tops. The hard-shelled fruits are perfect for crafts and fall display, and are ready for harvest approximately 110 days from sowing.

This small gourd is a member of the New World species Cucurbita pepo, which also includes true pumpkins and many winter and summer squash varieties. These warm season, annual vines are monoecious, meaning single...

(Black Beauty Zucchini, Summer Squash)

Throughout summer, this 1957 All-America Selections winner produces lots of long, smooth, dark green zucchini with tender, white, delicious flesh. They are borne on open, bush-type plants, making this a great choice for smaller gardens. Fruits are ready for harvest approximately 50 days from sowing, and should be picked often and early for best yields.

It is thought that zucchini appeared as spontaneous mutations of summer squash in 19th century Italy. They are derived from the New World...