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Organic Squash Anna Swartz Hubbard - Ferme de Sainte Marthe seeds - Cucurbita maxima

Cucurbita maxima Anna Swartz Hubbard
Pumpkin

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A running variety that produces pear-shaped pumpkins, measuring 20 to 25cm (8 to 10in) in length and weighing 2.5 to 3.5kg. They are covered with a slightly rough blue-grey skin, which gives them exceptional storage ability (5 to 6 months). Their thick flesh resembles the colour and flavour of sweet potatoes. This pumpkin boasts a delicious taste. It can be consumed in gratin, soup, pie, puree, or risotto. Sow the seeds from March to June for a harvest in September-October. It takes approximately 95 days from seed to fruit.    
Ease of cultivation
Beginner
Height at maturity
90 cm
Spread at maturity
1.50 m
Soil moisture
Moist soil
Germination time (days)
5 days
Sowing method
Direct sowing, Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat
Sowing period March to May
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Flowering time June to August
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Harvest time September to October
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Description

Cucurbita maxima 'Anna Swartz Hubbard' is an old climbing variety of pumpkin that produces pear-shaped fruits with a slightly warty blue-grey skin that is extremely hard, giving them exceptional storage ability (5 to 6 months). Their thick, dry, and sweet flesh resembles the colour and flavour of sweet potatoes. It is a high-quality squash that can be consumed in gratin, soup, pie, puree, or risotto. Sow the seeds from March to June for a harvest in September-October. It takes approximately 95 days from seed to fruit.

 

The average yield of this squash is 5 to 6 fruits per plant, measuring 20 to 25cm (8 to 10in) in length and weighing 2.5 to 3.5kg. The plant is climbing and vine-like, clinging to anything around it, occupying 4 to 5m².

'Anna Swartz Hubbard' is a variety from the American vegetable heritage that was selected by Anna Swartz in Pennsylvania in the 1950s.

Pumpkins, winter squashes, and gourds belong to the Cucurbitaceae family and the species Cucurbita maxima. This annual herbaceous plant has long, vigorous, and climbing or creeping stems with strong tendrils. Each plant has separate male and female flowers, making it monoecious. The female flowers produce the fruits once fertilised by the pollen of the male flowers.

They come in many shapes and colours, from large ribbed orange or red fruits with orange flesh, to oblong shapes, pear shapes, or "Turkish hat" shapes. Originally from South America, this species was introduced to Europe around the 16th or 17th century, along with its cousins, other species of Cucurbita. They are often mistakenly called "pumpkins" when they actually belong to a different species, Cucurbita pepo, with stringy flesh and a hard, fibrous stem. The pumpkin, on the other hand, has sweet, flavourful, and less stringy flesh with a tender and spongy stem.

Pumpkins are low in calories but rich in vitamins, minerals, and potassium. They are known for their antioxidant properties.

 

Harvest and storage

Harvest the pumpkins as late as possible, but before the first frost arrives. Keep a piece of stem attached to the fruit. Store them in a temperate room (10 to 15°C (50 to 59°F)), ensuring they do not touch each other. They can be stored for a few months to a year.

Gardener's tip

To save space and protect your fruits from rot, pumpkins can be grown vertically on supports such as a fence or sturdy stakes. If you let your pumpkins run, consider placing a tile, brick, or a thick layer of straw between the ground and the fruit to isolate it from moisture and prevent it from rotting.

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Pumpkin: planting, sowing, growing
Family sheet
by Virginie T. 11 min.
Pumpkin: planting, sowing, growing
Read article

Harvest

Harvest time September to October
Type of vegetable Fruit vegetable
Vegetable colour grey
Size of vegetable Large
Interest Flavour, Nutritional value, Colour
Flavour Sugary
Use Jam, Cooking

Plant habit

Height at maturity 90 cm
Spread at maturity 1.50 m
Growth rate fast

Foliage

Foliage persistence Annual
Foliage colour green
Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased

Botanical data

Genus

Cucurbita

Species

maxima

Cultivar

Anna Swartz Hubbard

Family

Cucurbitaceae

Other common names

Pumpkin

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Annual / Perennial

Annual

Product reference • 169491

Planting and care

Preparation

Like all plants from the Cucurbitaceae family, it is a very demanding vegetable that requires well-fertilised soil. It is wise to apply compost, preferably in autumn, even if it is not fully decomposed (more than 3kg per m2). Rake it to a depth of 5cm (2in), after having loosened the soil, as for any vegetable cultivation.

Sowing

Sow the seeds from April to June at a temperature ranging from 16 to 35°C (60.8 to 95°F). Germination generally takes between 9 and 10 days.

Before sowing, you can soak the seeds in a little water for 24 hours to stimulate germination.

There are two ways to sow your seeds:

Sow the seeds 3 weeks before transplanting, under a cloche or in a warm place. Sow 2 or 3 seeds per pot or container. Ensure the container is large enough for root development. After germination, keep only the most vigorous plant. Plant in open ground after mid-May, once all risk of frost has passed. It is important not to sow too early, as the plants could become weak. Additionally, they will have developed a root system that will not withstand transplantation.

Alternatively, plant your seeds directly in place. This can be done from mid-May. Ensure the soil is properly warmed and that all risk of frost has passed. Place 3 seeds in each hole. Cover the soil with organic matter (compost, clippings, leaves, etc.), which will help maintain soil moisture. Thin out after 2 to 3 weeks to keep only the most vigorous plant. 

 

Cultivation

From sowing or planting, water generously, taking care not to disturb the seeds. Water regularly during fruit formation. However, limit watering during the ripening period.

Seedlings

Sowing period March to May
Sowing method Direct sowing, Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat
Germination time (days) 5 days

Care

Soil moisture Wet
Disease resistance Good
Pruning instructions Prune varieties with large fruits to control growth and promote fruiting. Prune from June to September. On the main stem, after the formation of 4 to 5 true leaves, cut after the second one. Then, on the lateral branches that develop without fruits, prune after the fifth leaf as soon as they have 8. Then, cut 2 leaves after the formation of each fruit, without keeping all the fruits. Depending on the varieties and the desired fruit size, it is wise to keep 1 to 3 fruits for larger specimens, 5 to 6 for small pumpkins, squashes or butternuts, and 8 to 10 for mini squashes. Remove branches without fruits to limit vegetative growth.
Pruning No pruning necessary

Intended location

Type of use Vegetable garden
Hardiness Hardy down to +1.5°C (USDA zone 10b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Soil Very rich.
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Moist soil

Planting & care advice

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