Squash , Blue Banana (Guatemalan) 'New to us'

Cucurbita maxima, Blue-Gray Type of Banana Squash, These good sized, elongated fruits, avg 35 to 40 cms in length & 6 to 10 pnds. Offering an oblong to oval shape slightly tapering to the curved ends, the rind is firm, hard, & smooth, ranging in colour from dark green, green-blue, to a dusty, gray-green. Inside the flesh is dense, thick, & dark orange, which has a very sweet flavour & smooth tender texture when cooked, perfect for baking or roasting.  It is native to S. America & been grown for thousands of years as an indigenous variety. When introduced to the US, It saw initial success, but was quickly overshadowed by more mainstream squashes such as butternut. Yet it retains its unique style as a favoured heirloom variety among home gardeners, valued for its extended storage capabilities, rapid growth, & high yields, Seed Count Approx - 6 avg 

  SOWING - Squash will not germinate in cold soil & needs a warm spot, well-drained & fertile soil with plenty of composted organic matter to conserve moisture;. Planting should be delayed until soil has warmed (can be started in greenhouse mid March onward, plant out end Mayish),  Sow directly insitu after threat of frost has passed. Sow one inch deep in hills or rows spaced 24 to 36 in apart , Harvest just before frosts, when the stems dry & turn brown.