{"product_id":"squash-summer-fordhook-zucchini","title":"Squash Seeds - Summer - Fordhook Zucchini","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"aonsk-product-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFordhook produces straight green zucchini with tender flesh and a mild, gently sweet flavor. The fruits are most useful while young, when the skin is delicate and the seeds are still small. Slice them for the skillet or grill, grate them into baking, or pick small fruits for quick summer meals. Its bushy growth keeps the harvest concentrated around the plant, but the large leaves still need room and steady moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePick young and often for tender summer squash.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing facts\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cucurbita pepo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaturity or display:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50-60 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Green summer squash, best harvested young at about 6-8 in. long\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 36 in between plants; rows 48 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the variety\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFordhook is an open-pollinated summer squash with bushy growth and straight green zucchini. Harvesting while the rind and seeds are tender gives it the delicate texture expected of summer squash.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eStarting seed\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDirect sow 1 in. deep after frost when soil reaches 65 F. Keep moist; sprouts in 4-14 days. Thin to 36 in. apart, rows 48 in. apart. Use full sun and rich, drained soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare through the season\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater deeply as needed and mulch after the soil warms. Keep the leaves and developing fruits off persistently wet soil. Remove insect covers at flowering so bees can pollinate female flowers. Avoid crowding even when a variety has a bush habit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHarvest and use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePick 6-8 in. fruits often, beginning in 50-60 days. Chill and use promptly. For seed, isolate from other C. pepo; let selected fruits fully harden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSaving seed\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSquash can cross with other varieties of the same species. For dependable seed purity, isolate flowering varieties or hand-pollinate and protect marked flowers. Let selected fruits ripen fully, then clean and thoroughly dry the mature seeds. Seed saved from tender zucchini is immature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon problems\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheck for cucumber beetles, aphids and mildew. Good airflow, crop rotation and watering at the roots reduce some problems. Poor pollination and uneven moisture can distort fruit. Inspect squash plants for squash bugs and vine-borer injury.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen are the fruits ready?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePick 6-8 in. fruits often, beginning in 50-60 days. Chill and use promptly. For seed, isolate from other C. pepo; let selected fruits fully harden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes this variety need support?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater deeply as needed and mulch after the soil warms. Keep the leaves and developing fruits off persistently wet soil. Remove insect covers at flowering so bees can pollinate female flowers. Avoid crowding even when a variety has a bush habit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I save seeds?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSquash can cross with other varieties of the same species. For dependable seed purity, isolate flowering varieties or hand-pollinate and protect marked flowers. Let selected fruits ripen fully, then clean and thoroughly dry the mature seeds. Seed saved from tender zucchini is immature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Alliance of Native Seedkeepers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52508631957806,"sku":"SSQ31","price":2.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/www.allianceofnativeseedkeepers.com\/products\/squash-summer-fordhook-zucchini","provider":"Alliance of Native Seedkeepers","version":"1.0","type":"link"}