Delicata JS (OG)

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Growing Information:

Winter

CULTURE: Fertile, composted, well-drained soil is best. FROM TRANSPLANTS: Sow in 1 1/2-2" containers or plug trays. Thin to 1-2 plants/cell with scissors. Harden plants 4-7 days by reducing fertilizer, water, and temperature, moving flats outside if there is no frost danger. Transplant after frost danger, earlier only if plants are to be covered with floating row covers. Transplant about 18" apart for bush and small-fruited varieties, and 24-36" apart for large-fruited varieties. Take care not to disturb roots! DIRECT SEEDING: Sow in late spring after frost danger when soil is warm, minimum 62°F (17°C) for treated seeds and 70°F (21°C for untreated seeds. Seeds will rot in cool soil, especially cool, wet soil. Sow 2-3 seeds every 18" (24-36" for large-fruited varieties) 1/2-1" deep; or sow about 6" apart. Thin to 1 plant per spot. Rows 6' apart, 12' apart for larger fruit. OTHER PLANTING SCHEMES: Some growers "check plant" in rows 3' apart, plants 3' apart in the rows (or 6' apart in both directions). This permits tractor cultivation in both directions. Jab planters are the ticket for check planting (see Index). DISEASES: Cucumber beetles can carry bacterial wilt and must be controlled. Gummy stem blight (black rot) causes black, sunken spots to appear on fruits in storage and the tan scabby patches on Butternuts in the field. Downy mildew may occur in cool, damp weather, powdery mildew in hot, droughty periods and in late summer. Consult Extension agent for specific fungicide control. SPRING COLD PROTECTION: AG-19 (heavier grade) floating row covers will provide about 4° of frost protection and add warmth for vigor and earlier harvest. INSECT PESTS: Protect young plants with floating row covers (see Index). Cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and vine borers can be a challenge. Rotenone and pyrethrin offer some control. Squash bug eggs laid on underside of leaves may be located and crushed. Keep borders well mowed. For vine borers, use rotenone around the base of young plants. Cut borers out of vines and hill soil over the wound. Clean up refuse in the fall, and spring-plow the ground to bury the pupae. Butternuts, which have solid stems, are usually not bothered by borers. FALL FROST: Frost kills leaves and can thus facilitate harvest; however, it can also damage fruits and cause spotting and poor storage. Mature fruits can usually tolerate 1 and sometimes 2 or 3 light frosts without substantial damage. Sprinkler irrigation wards off moderate frost damage to fruits. HARVEST: Before heavy frost, cut stems about 1" from the fruit when stem is drying and skin is hardening. Handle fruits like eggs! CURING: Cure in the field to dry and toughen skins by exposing fruits to sun for 5-7 days or so, covering in the evening if frost is likely. An indoor method of curing is to expose squash to 80-90°F (27-32°C) with ventilation for 3-5 days. STORAGE: Store at 50-55°F (10-13°C), 50-75% humidity, and good air circulation. DAYS TO MATURITY: From direct seeding; subtract about 14 days if transplanting. AVG. DIRECT SEEDING RATES: (at 2 seeds/ft., rows 6' apart)-Group 1: Hubbard, Kuri 50'/oz., 850'/lb., 8 1/2 lbs./acre. Group 2: Buttercup, Kabocha, Spaghetti 75'/oz., 1,250'/lb., 5 3/4 lbs./acre. Group 3: Butternut, Acorn 155'/oz., 2,500'/lb., 3 lbs./acre. Group 4: Delicata, Dumpling 225'/oz., 3,750'/lb., 2 lbs./acre. SEED SPECS: SEEDS/LB.: Group 1: 1,500-2,000 (avg. 1,700). Group 2: 2,200-3,200 (avg. 2,500). Group 3: 4,500-6,000 (avg. 5,000). Group 4: 6,800-9,500 (avg. 7,500). PACKET: approx. 30 seeds unless otherwise stated.

Symbols Explained:

	Bred by Johnny's Seeds and accessories are bred & developed by Johnny’s Selected Seeds.
	Organic Seeds and Supplies For seeds, OG means "organically grown" and signifies seeds harvested from plants grown organically, without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides and according to National Organic Program standards. For supplies, OG signifies products that are approved for use in growing certified organic crops; supplies are listed by OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) when noted in the product description.
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