Edibles – Vegetables – Straight Neck Squash

Straight Neck Squash 

Botanical name: cucurbita pepo var. Recticollis 

Beginner friendly?:  yes

Average size at maturity: about 3 ft in height and in spread 

Hardy zone: zones 2-11 

Growth rate: reaches fully mature size in first growing season, grown as an annual vegetable 

Foliage color: green 

Flower color: yellow

Bloom time:  summer blooms and harvest 

Pruning instructions: prune as needed from the spring – fall months 

Propagation methods: propagate by seed sowing 

Landscape use: vegetable garden, pollinator garden, herb garden

Special features: attracts pollinators, heat tolerant 

Light needs: 6 hours of sun per day 

Watering instructions: allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between watering sessions 

Fertilizing instructions : feed with compost before planting, use an organic fertilizer every 3 months throughout the growing season 

Best time to plant: spring, summer 

Best type of soil: sand, loam 

Companion plants: radishes, nasturtiums, oregano, beans

Toxicity level: non-toxic for humans and pets 

Invasive species: no