Heirloom. Easy to grow and fast to mature. This is our favorite summer squash, bearing many lemon-yellow, 6-inch fruit, with a slightly bent neck that earns it the name Crookneck. Plants are fast growing and very prolific. Harvest all summer long. Delicious steamed with nutmeg or fried in slices and sprinkled with parmesan cheese and crumbled bacon. Harvest while skins are soft. Keep plants picked so they keep producing.
- Light Full sun
- Fruit size 6 inches long
- Matures 53 days
- Plant spacing 36 to 48 inches
- Plant size 3 feet wide, 2 feet tall
Some Bonnie Plants varieties may not be available in your local area, due to different variables in certain regions. Also, if any variety is a limited, regional variety it will be noted on the pertinent variety page.
Light requirements: Full sun.
Planting: Space 24 to 72 inches apart, depending on type. (Read the stick tag that comes with the plant for specific spacing recommendations.)
Soil requirements: All squash types need well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Work at least 3 inches of compost or other organic matter into soil prior to planting. Create raised beds if soil tends to be heavy and poorly draining.
Water requirements: Keep soil consistently moist throughout the growing season. Before vines begin to run, mulch soil lightly to reduce water evaporation. Once vines spread, leaves shade soil and act as living mulch.
Frost-fighting plan: Squash plants are sensitive to frost and are damaged by even a light frost (28º F to 32º F). It’s a good idea to protect newly planted seedlings from late spring frosts by covering plants with straw or a frost blanket. Do not let frost settle on late-season fruits of summer or winter squash. Frost-kissed winter squash won’t store well.
Common issues: Watch out for squash bugs, squash vine borers, and cucumber beetles. If pest problems start early in the season, grow plants beneath floating row covers. Squash can experience blossom end rot, where the end of developing fruits starts to rot. Powdery mildew often appears on leaves in late summer.
Harvesting: For best flavor, pick summer squash like crookneck and zucchini when fruits are small. Winter squash, like acorn, hubbard and butternut, should ripen as fully as possible on the vine, but gather all fruits before frost. Cut squash from vines, leaving an intact stem attached to squash. Having a stem section (one-half to 1 inch) is the secret to successful storage, both short- and long-term.
Storage: Refrigerate summer squash in a loosely closed plastic bag. It will stay at peak freshness and nutrition up to 5 days, and remain useable for up to 14 days (although it may become soft). Winter squash can be stored for varying lengths of time, from a couple weeks to several months. Hubbard and butternut store longest. Research best storage conditions for the type of winter squash you grow.
For more information, visit the Squash page in our How to Grow section.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 36
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Dietary fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Vitamin C: 16% DV
- Vitamin K: 10%
- Folate: 9%
- Vitamin B6: 8%
- Manganese: 14%
- Potassium: 9%
Nutritional Information
All varieties of summer squash have fewer nutrients than winter squash because the latter have a longer period of maturity and time to develop. Nonetheless, summer squash has a good combination of vitamins and minerals, especially manganese, vitamins C and K, folate, and potassium, and many of these nutrients have been found to be helpful in the prevention of heart disease. The skin is where most of these nutrients are found, and fortunately the entire squash – flesh, seeds, and skin – are edible.
Related products
-
Artichoke, 19.3 oz (2-Pack), Live Plants
Heirloom. This improved artichoke is such a pretty plant that it is also sold as an ornamental. Bold, deeply lobed...
-
Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin
Heirloom. This round to oblong pumpkin was bred for making Jack O’ Lanterns, but its flesh makes delicious pies, soups,...
-
Straightneck Squash
Heirloom. This early, prolific straightneck summer squash produces creamy yellow, tender fruit of excellent quality early in the season. Plants...
-
Golden Jubilee Heirloom Tomato
Heirloom. First introduced in 1943 as an All-America Selection, Jubilee bears large tomatoes with very meaty, thick-walled interiors and mild...
-
Bradley Heirloom Tomato
Heirloom. An old variety from the University of Arkansas, this indeterminate vine produces pink, mild fruit until frost. Excellent, smooth...
-
Early Jersey Wakefield Cabbage
Heirloom. This American cabbage is a favorite for early harvest, forming a conical, pointed, dark green head with a smooth,...
-
Leeks
Heirloom. A member of the onion family, leeks are often called the gourmet’s onion because of their mild flavor. This...
-
Pink Brandywine Heirloom Tomato
Heirloom. This popular beefsteak-sized, Amish tomato produces rosy pink fruits loaded with an old-fashioned tomato taste that has been prized...
-
Sandia Hot Pepper
Heirloom. Grow Sandia when you want a pepper that offers mild heat and versatility in use. This chile-style pepper has...
-
Tabasco Hot Pepper
Heirloom. This hot pepper is used to make the famous Tabasco® Sauce. Peppers mature from yellow-green to orange to red...
-
Chile de Arbol Hot Pepper
Chili de Arbol blends fiery heat with smoky flavors that really enhance Mexican cooking. Tall plants (up to 4 feet)...
-
Hale’s Best Jumbo Cantaloupe
Heirloom. An old, classic favorite dating from the 1920s, this ribbed melon has a heavily netted skin. Also called muskmelon....
Related recipes and articles
-
Recipe
Butternut Squash Pie
Squash
Vegetables
-
Recipe
Parmesan Squash
This is a very simple recipe that is a wonderful way to highlight the freshness…
Read moreSquash
Vegetables
-
Recipe
Squash Salad
Use summer squash in a new way in this tasty alternative to an ordinary garden…
Read moreOnions
Squash
Tomatoes
-
Recipe
Squash Puppies
The whole family will love this vegetable version of hush puppies. Squash Puppies are great…
Read moreOnions
Squash
-
Recipe
Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash
Turn your fresh acorn squash into a filling vegetable dish. The sweet maple-currant syrup creates…
Read moreSquash
Thyme
Vegetables
-
Recipe
Squash Boats
The great thing about Squash Boats is that they are an excellent introductory vegetable dish…
Read moreBasil
Onions
Oregano
Squash
Tomatoes
-
Recipe
Heirloom Tomato Squash Tart
Summer garden buddies tomatoes and squash star together in this tasty pastry. Pair with a…
Read moreBasil
Oregano
Squash
Thyme
Tomatoes
-
Recipe
Quick Pickled Summer Squash
Use a vegetable peeler to make gorgeous squash ribbons for a stunning quick pickled summer…
Read moreChives
Dill
Squash
Vegetables
-
Recipe
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
I’ll admit, I got carried away while developing this Roasted Butternut Squash Salad. I just…
Read moreLettuce
Squash
Thyme