(Futsu Black Winter Squash)

This beautiful Japanese winter squash cultivar produces rounded, somewhat flattened, deeply ribbed fruits with long, curvaceous stems and pebbly, very dark green skin that gradually fades to tan in storage. The golden flesh is dry and moderately sweet with a hint of hazelnut, and wonderful for pies, roasting or steaming. ‘Futsu Black’ makes an unusual but fun Jack-o’-lantern, and looks especially nice combined with other differently shaped and colored squash. It is ready for harvest approximately...

(Long Island Cheese Pumpkin, Winter Pumpkin)

The plump, flattened, lightly-ribbed fruits of this heirloom winter squash have smooth, creamy-tan skin, and somewhat resemble large wheels of cheese. The deep-orange, moderately sweet flesh is delicious for roasting, steaming, or baked into pies. Though not a true pumpkin, ‘Long Island Cheese’ makes a fun and unique Jack-o’-lantern, and adds a beautiful touch to fall displays and decorating schemes. It is ready for harvest approximately 105 days from sowing.

Like many winter squash, ‘Long...

(Butternut Squash)

Bred primarily for commercial growers, this F1 hybrid produces good yields of medium to large butternut squash on vigorous, mildew-resistant vines. The bottle-shaped, thick-necked fruits have smooth, pinkish-tan skin and bright orange flesh. The fruits weigh 3 to 5 pounds (2 to 3 kg) each. This variety grows from seed to harvest in about 105 days.

Like many winter squash, ‘Quantum’ descends from the New World species Cucurbita moschata. These scrambling or climbing warm-season annuals...

(Rumbo Pumpkin)

This appealing hybrid offers heavy yields of flattened, pumpkin-like squash with pronounced ribs, long curving stems, and unique, deep tan skin. Resembling old-fashioned wheels of cheese, the decorative fruits have tender, sweet, non-stringy, deep orange-yellow flesh which is excellent for pies, roasting or steaming. ‘Rumbo’ makes an unusual but fun Jack-o’-lantern, especially when other oddly shaped or colored winter squash are thrown in the mix! It is ready for harvest approximately 95 days...

(Trombone-shaped Zucchini of Albenga, Zucchetta, Zucchetta Rampicante Tromboncino)

What a delicious conversation piece! Zucchetta rampicante tromboncino is an Italian heirloom squash that bears remarkable trombone-shaped fruits with long sinuous "necks" and bulbous bases. The smooth, yellow-green immature fruits are like summer squash and delicious eaten sautéed, roasted or steamed. Some say they have an artichoke-like flavor. Mature fruits become quite large and have tan skin surrounding yellowish flesh that can be roasted, though this squash is best eaten young. The rambling...

(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...