Winter Squash Seeds,
Musquee de Maroc

Plant Musquee de Maroc squash after all danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature is consistently above 60 F, as squash is extremely sensitive to frost. In cooler climates, you can start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost date, then transplant them outdoors once the weather warms up. In warmer climates, seeds can be sown directly outdoors. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

Sow seeds 1/2-1 inch deep in rows or hills, spacing the plants 18-46 inches apart. In hills, plant 4-5 seeds per hill and thin to the best seedlings once they are established. Seeds generally germinate in 5-10 days at soil temperatures between 70-95 F.

These plants are heavy feeders, so enrich the soil with compost before planting and fertilize regularly with a balanced organic fertilizer. Water deeply and consistently, aiming to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. If you experience extreme heat, consider providing light shade to prevent wilting and ensure that the plants continue to set fruit.

• There are four main species of squash: Cucurbita maxima, C. pepo, C. moschata, and C. mixta. They will not cross pollinate with each other, so it is possible to grow one of each species for seed saving without worrying about cross pollination.
• If you are planning to grow several varieties of more than one species, you can bag the blossoms and hand pollinate to avoid crossing.
• Whether it is a summer or winter squash, you must let the fruit completely mature before extracting the seeds, and cure for at least two weeks.
• Scoop the seeds, place them in a bucket, and add just enough water to cover. Let sit at room temperature to ferment for two days before rinsing off the pulp.
• Lay seeds out to dry on newspaper or paper plates.
• Stored in a cool, dry place, seeds will remain viable for up to four years.