{"product_id":"ga-courge-citrouille-d-hiver-sweet-meat-winter-squash-bio","title":"Organic 'Sweet Meat Winter Squash' Pumpkin","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrganic 'Sweet Meat' winter squash (Cucurbita maxima) from Gaia Seeds, a heritage variety from the American Northwest, sweet, large, and with exceptional storage qualities.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSweet Meat\u003c\/strong\u003e is an iconic heirloom winter squash from the \u003cstrong\u003ePacific Northwest\u003c\/strong\u003e , prized for its round, \u003cstrong\u003eslate-gray\u003c\/strong\u003e , \u003cstrong\u003e10- to 15-pound\u003c\/strong\u003e fruits with \u003cstrong\u003erich, sweet, tender, and incredibly flavorful flesh\u003c\/strong\u003e . Its deep flavor makes it the essential ingredient in what many call \u003cstrong\u003e“the best pumpkin pie on earth.”\u003c\/strong\u003e Highly vigorous, it develops \u003cstrong\u003ethick vines 30–45 cm tall\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003e2–3 m (6–10 ft)\u003c\/strong\u003e long, covered in trichomes (small protective hairs) and bearing large, trumpet-shaped \u003cstrong\u003e, orange-yellow flowers\u003c\/strong\u003e . Its \u003cstrong\u003eexceptional storage\u003c\/strong\u003e capacity makes it a perfect variety for food self-sufficiency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCompanion plants\u003c\/strong\u003e : Corn, Climbing beans, Peas, Radishes, Sunflowers, Parsley, Celery, Buckwheat, Nasturtiums, Marigolds, Oregano \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNefarious plants\u003c\/strong\u003e : Tomato, Eggplant, Potato, Pepper\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSpread\/Habit\u003c\/strong\u003e : Vineyard, thick vines\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePlant height\u003c\/strong\u003e : 30 to 45 cm (12–18″)\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eQuantity per packet\u003c\/strong\u003e : 15 seeds\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCertification\u003c\/strong\u003e : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSpecial features\u003c\/strong\u003e : Fruits 10–15 lb, slate grey skin, exceptional keeping qualities, rich flavour ideal for pies, thick vines with trichomes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eLeaf color\u003c\/strong\u003e : Medium green, with visible trichomes\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTexture\/flavor\u003c\/strong\u003e : Dense, sweet, rich flesh, perfect roasted or in a pie\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCold tolerance\u003c\/strong\u003e : Not tolerant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eResistant to deer?\u003c\/strong\u003e (undocumented → left blank)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e Farming method\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e Soak the seeds in lukewarm water \u003cstrong\u003efor a maximum of 24 hours\u003c\/strong\u003e , then \u003cstrong\u003escarify\u003c\/strong\u003e to improve germination. \u003cbr\u003eSow indoors \u003cstrong\u003e3 to 4 weeks\u003c\/strong\u003e before the last frost. Transplant outdoors \u003cstrong\u003ein late May–early June\u003c\/strong\u003e , when the soil reaches \u003cstrong\u003e25°C\u003c\/strong\u003e .\u003cbr\u003e Sowing depth: \u003cstrong\u003e2.5 cm (1″)\u003c\/strong\u003e .\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e Spacing: \u003cstrong\u003e38–45 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e between plants, \u003cstrong\u003e60–90 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e between rows.\u003cbr\u003e Grow in \u003cstrong\u003efull sun\u003c\/strong\u003e (level 3) and water regularly but moderately (level 2).\u003cbr\u003e Germination in \u003cstrong\u003e7 to 10 days\u003c\/strong\u003e between \u003cstrong\u003e27 and 35 °C\u003c\/strong\u003e .\u003cbr\u003e Maturity: \u003cstrong\u003e115 days\u003c\/strong\u003e .\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e Harvesting and preservation\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e Harvest when:\u003cbr\u003e • The \u003cstrong\u003eskin is tough\u003c\/strong\u003e and resistant to nailing,\u003cbr\u003e • the \u003cstrong\u003ecolor becomes intensely slate grey\u003c\/strong\u003e ,\u003cbr\u003e • the \u003cstrong\u003estain on the ground\u003c\/strong\u003e turns creamy yellow or orange.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e Cut, leaving \u003cstrong\u003e5 cm (2″)\u003c\/strong\u003e of stem. \u003cbr\u003eAllow \u003cstrong\u003eto mature in a dry, warm place\u003c\/strong\u003e , then store at \u003cstrong\u003e10–12 °C\u003c\/strong\u003e , with \u003cstrong\u003e55–75% humidity\u003c\/strong\u003e and good ventilation.\u003cbr\u003e This variety keeps \u003cstrong\u003eexceptionally well\u003c\/strong\u003e .\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e Usage ideas\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e • In a \u003cstrong\u003epumpkin pie\u003c\/strong\u003e of exceptional quality\u003cbr\u003e • In \u003cstrong\u003evelvety purees\u003c\/strong\u003e and rich soups\u003cbr\u003e • When \u003cstrong\u003eroasted\u003c\/strong\u003e , which intensifies its sweetness\u003cbr\u003e • Cubed for \u003cstrong\u003estews, curries and comfort food\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e • In homemade stuffings or gnocchi\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSweet Meat\u003c\/strong\u003e is a \u003cstrong\u003elarge, sweet, and reliable\u003c\/strong\u003e squash, ideal for gardens focused on preserving and autumn cooking. An essential heirloom variety for lovers of rich and flavorful squash.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gaia","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53075549552800,"sku":"GAI-SEMENCES","price":4.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0655\/3878\/5440\/files\/Courgecitrouilled_hiver_SweetMeatWinterSquash_bioGaia.jpg?v=1765628243","url":"https:\/\/www.pepiniere.ca\/en\/products\/ga-courge-citrouille-d-hiver-sweet-meat-winter-squash-bio","provider":"Pépinière.ca","version":"1.0","type":"link"}