Organic 'Canada Crookneck' Squash
Organic 'Canada Crookneck' crookneck squash (Cucurbita moschata) from Gaia Seeds, a long, sweet and spectacular heritage butternut.
Canada Crookneck is a remarkable heirloom variety of butternut squash, celebrated for its long, continuous, and generous curved neck , which concentrates a golden-orange flesh of exceptional purity and tenderness. Its sweet, mild, and almost ambrosial flavor makes it one of the best squashes for roasting. Its graceful shape and elegantly curved fruit add undeniable ornamental appeal to the garden while offering remarkable productivity.
Companion plants : Corn, Climbing beans, Peas, Radishes, Sunflowers, Parsley, Celery, Buckwheat, Nasturtiums, Marigolds, Oregano
Nefarious plants : Tomato, Eggplant, Potato, Pepper
Spread/Habit : Vigorous trailing plant
Plant height : 30 to 45 cm
Quantity per packet : 20 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Very long, fleshy neck, sweet orange flesh, ambrosia flavor, elegant ornamental appeal, high yield
Leaf color : Medium green
Texture/flavor : Tender, sweet, dense flesh, perfect for roasting
Cold tolerance : Not tolerant
Resistant to deer (undocumented → left blank)
Farming method
Soak the seeds for a maximum of 24 hours in lukewarm water, then scarify to optimize germination.
Start sowing 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost. Transplant outdoors in late May–early June , when the soil temperature reaches 25°C .
Sow at a depth of 2.5 cm (1″) .
Space the plants 38–45 cm apart, with 60–90 cm between rows.
Grow in full sun (level 3) with moderate watering (level 2).
Germination in 7 to 10 days between 25 and 32 °C (optimum 27–35 °C).
Maturity: approximately 90 days , a rather early-maturing butternut squash.
Harvesting and preservation
Fruits are ripe when:
• The color is rich ,
• The skin is tough and resistant to nailing,
• the stain on the ground changes from yellow to cream or orange.
Cut, leaving 5 cm (2″) of stem to prevent rot.
Allow to ripen in a warm, dry place before storing.
Store at 10–12 °C , with 55–75% humidity , in a well-ventilated area.
Usage ideas
• In roasted chunks , simple and tasty
• In richly aromatic purées and creamy soups
• In stuffings , thanks to its dense flesh
• Cubed for curries, tagines and stews
• As a filling for pasta, ravioli or galettes
The Canada Crookneck is a spectacular butternut squash, tender and sweet , as beautiful as it is abundant, perfect for gardeners seeking an exceptional heirloom variety, as decorative as
