Caserta Summer Squash (58 Days)

In 1949, the Caserta Summer Squash won the All-America Selections Award as an exceptional Zucchini; it remains so. The bush plant produces 16” zucchini that are quite thin. Fruits are bulbous at the end and narrow at the neck, a light green color alternating with forest green bands. Caserta Summer Squash is best harvested young.  20 seeds PLANTING Cucurbita pepo Germination: 4-10 days Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 70-85ºF Seed Sowing Depth: 1/2-1" deep Sowing Indoors: 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Provide 70-85ºF soil temperature. Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot. Sowing into individual biodegradable peat/cow pots reduces root damage when transplanting. Transplant 36-48" apart after the last frost.  Sowing Outdoors: Sow after the last frost when the soil temperature is over 70ºF. Sow a few seeds every 36-48".  Harvest: Check and harvest a few times a week. Cut or kindly twist off fruit, starting at a 3-4”. Tips: Plant Caserta Summer Squash in fertile soil, amended with compost or well-rotted manure, and keep well watered. They benefit from growing on black plastic and by using row covers for weed, insect control, and more rapid growth.