Organic crookneck squash 'Yellow Crookneck S'

Organic 'Yellow Crookneck S' crookneck squash (Cucurbita pepo) from Gaia seed company, a tender, sweet and bright heirloom summer squash

Yellow Crookneck S is a heirloom summer squash prized for its tender, flavorful, yellow, curved fruits when harvested young, around 13–15 cm (5–6″) . Their thin skin and sweet flesh offer optimal flavor when the squash is small. If allowed to mature, the fruits develop a deeper color and become beautiful ornamental squashes . This productive and reliable variety is ideal for summer cooking, whether sautéed, grilled, or grated raw.

Companion plants : Corn, Climbing beans, Peas, Radishes, Sunflowers, Parsley, Celery, Buckwheat, Nasturtiums, Marigolds, Oregano
Nefarious plants : Tomato, Eggplant, Potato, Pepper

Spread/Habit : Compact, slightly trailing clump
Plant height : 45 to 60 cm
Quantity per packet : 20 seeds
Certification : Certified organic by Ecocert Canada
Special features : Very tender when young, optimal flavor when small, can be ornamental if allowed to ripen, heirloom variety

Leaf color : Medium green
Texture/flavor : Soft, tender flesh, delicate flavor
Cold tolerance : Not tolerant

Resistant to deer (undocumented → left blank)

Farming method

Soak the seeds in lukewarm water for a maximum of 24 hours , then scarify to improve germination.
Start sowing indoors 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost. Transplant outdoors in late May–early June , when the soil temperature reaches 25°C .
Sowing depth: 2.5 cm (1″) .

Spacing: 38–45 cm between plants, 60–90 cm between rows.
Install in full sun (level 3), with regular but moderate watering (level 2).
Germination: 7 to 10 days between 21 and 35 °C (optimal 27–35 °C).
Maturity: 50 days , a very early variety.

Harvesting and preservation

Harvest when the fruits are 5–6″ in size, still young, shiny and tender.
For ripe fruit:
• hard skin resistant to nail
• rich and intense color
• cream to orange stain on the ground

Cut, leaving 5 cm (2″) of stem to prevent rot.
Store at 10–12 °C , with 55–75% humidity .

Usage ideas

• In fragrant grilled dishes
• Sautéed with garlic and herbs
• In fritters (grated pancakes)
• Stuffed when it's a little bigger
• As a quick accompaniment to summer cuisine

The Yellow Crookneck S is a tender, tasty and very decorative summer squash, perfect for cooks as well as gardeners looking for productivity and beauty in the vegetable garden.