Winter Squash
$4.00
Butternut, acorn, spaghetti, and other storage squash that you harvest in fall and enjoy all winter long. These hardy, long-keeping squash are nutritional powerhouses with rich, sweet flavor that improves in storage.
Growing Tips
Winter squash needs a long season — plant after last frost and give them plenty of room to sprawl. They are ready when the stem dries and the rind is hard enough that you can't dent it with your thumbnail. Cure in the sun for a week after harvest, then store in a cool, dry place. In the Owens Valley, our warm days and cool nights produce excellent sugar content in winter squash.
Owens Valley only. Pickup in Big Pine or local delivery.
Varieties We Carry
- •Butternut, Acorn, Spaghetti, Delicata, Hubbard, and other winter-type squash)
More Squash & Melons
Summer Squash
Zucchini, yellow crookneck, pattypan, and other summer squash varieties that produce prolifically from early summer through fall. The garden's most generous plant — you will have plenty to share with neighbors. Varieties may include: Black Beauty Zucchini, Yellow Crookneck, Pattypan/Scallop, Costata Romanesco, and other summer-type squash. Growing tips: Direct sow after last frost when soil is warm. Summer squash grows fast — harvest frequently at 6-8 inches for best flavor and texture. Letting fruits get too large makes them seedy and tough. In our climate, watch for squash vine borers and powdery mildew. Morning watering at the base keeps foliage dry and healthy. Two to three plants feed a family generously.
Pumpkins
Carving, pie, and decorative pumpkin varieties to make fall complete. From classic jack-o-lanterns to rich pie pumpkins, there is a variety for every autumn tradition. Varieties may include: Jack O'Lantern, Sugar Pie, Cinderella, and other pumpkin types for carving, cooking, and decorating. Growing tips: Pumpkins need space, sun, and a long growing season. Plant after last frost and give each hill 6-8 feet in all directions. In Big Pine, our warm summer days and cool nights help develop deep orange color. For Halloween pumpkins, count back 90-120 days from your target date to determine planting time. Water consistently but avoid wetting the leaves.
Melons
Sweet cantaloupe, honeydew, and specialty melon varieties that thrive in the Owens Valley's hot summers. There is nothing like a sun-warmed melon picked straight from the garden. Varieties may include: Hale's Best Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Charentais, and other melon selections suited to our climate. Growing tips: Melons love heat — and Big Pine delivers. Plant in the warmest spot in your garden after all danger of frost. Black plastic mulch warms the soil and helps melons thrive at our elevation. Cantaloupes are ripe when they slip easily from the vine with gentle pressure. Honeydews are trickier — look for a color change from green to creamy white and a slight give at the blossom end.
Watermelons Large
Full-sized watermelon varieties for summer picnics, BBQs, and family gatherings. These big beauties need some space and patience, but the reward is unmatched summer refreshment. Varieties may include: Crimson Sweet, Charleston Gray, Sugar Baby (large), and other full-sized selections. Growing tips: Large watermelons need 80-100 days of warm weather — our Owens Valley summers provide perfect conditions. Start seeds indoors or direct sow after soil reaches 70°F. Give each plant 6-8 feet of space. When the tendril nearest the fruit turns brown and the belly spot turns from white to cream/yellow, your melon is ready. Thump test: a ripe watermelon sounds hollow, not dull.