Grow a garden filled with Turks Turban Squash plants, from freshly harvested Cucurbita maxima seeds. Turks Turban is an heirloom variety of Winter Squash, which was introduced in the 1860's. They are popularly used as an ornamental variety, due to their colorful skins and strange look. The outer skin is a brilliant red, accented with green stripes, and it's inner flesh is sweet and golden yellow. Turks Turban not only looks cool, but it is great for baking as well. The fruits are roughly 9 inches in diameter, and weigh anywhere between 4 to 5 pounds. The plants themselves will reach a mature height of about 12 to 24 inches tall, vining outwards to take up 6 feet of garden space. Turks Turban can be harvested in roughly 100 days.
Squash plants, like pumpkins, are grown as annual plants. Annuals will grow quickly, producing vines, leaves and fruits through the warm months of summer. After harvesting the Squash from it's vines, the plants will wilt soon after, with the first killing frost. Squash plants can be regrown the following season if you manage to save some of the seeds within the Squash itself.
Turks Turban is one of the many varieties of Squash that we have to offer. Check out our Squash category for a wide variety of other options available. You might also be interested in our Pumpkins and Gourds as well.
What is the difference between Winter and Summer Squash?
First and foremost, Squash in general, both develop and produce fruits in the summer months, up until early Autumn. The main difference is based upon harvesting, consumption, as well as the use for your Summer or Winter Squash. Summer Squash is best enjoyed when harvested early, while it's fruits have a tender skin. While Winter Squash will take up to 50 to 60 percent longer to develop and can be harvest later in the season. Winter Squash fruits, such as Table Queen, Burgess Buttercup, Sweet Meat and Waltham Butternut, will have a thicker outer skin and a sweeter inner flesh, making them perfect for baking and stuffing. Summer Squash, such as Prolific Straightneck, Crookneck, Early white Scallop and Zucchini, are best consumed raw, steamed or cooked.
SOWING THE SEED
Squash seeds aren't too fond of being transplanted and are best sown directly in the garden, after all danger of frost has passed. Begin by clearing your sowing area of all unwanted plant life and other obnoxious weeds that you find. Sow the seeds at a depth of 1" under topsoil, in hills which can be raised 8 inches tall. Check "Germination and Growth" for additional information on spacing.
GROWING CONDITIONS
Squash plants will enjoy the heat of summer and thrive in temperatures that are above 65F. Since Squash is a heavy feeder, the soil should be rich in organic matter, but will also need to be well drained. To improve drainage, it is recommended to add a light compost to any hard, compacted soil in the sowing area. This will prevent the roots from rotting. Water the seeds daily with a mild setting so that the seeds and seedlings are kept moist until germination occurs. Avoid overwatering.
GERMINATION & GROWTH
Squash seeds will begin to sprout open in roughly 7 to 14 days after sowing. The plants will grow to a mature height of 1 to 2 feet tall and can take up 6 feet of garden space. These plants will need a large area to grow outwards and can be spaced by hills or mounds of dirt, rather than rows. As explained above mounds should be 18 to 24 inches wide and at least 8 inches tall. Space each mound at least 6 feet apart from one another. When sprouts become visible, direct the vines outwards towards areas that do not contain other plant life.
HARVEST / STORAGE
When your vines start to establish Squash, be sure to place straw under the fruits to prevent them from touching the bare ground beneath, as this can prevent rotting. Your Turks Turban Squash will be ready for harvesting in roughly 100 days after the skin becomes hard and red. Cut the stems at least 2 to 3 inches from the actual fruits, otherwise the fruits will rot.
Winter Squash, such as Turks Turban can be stored for weeks on in, if they are kept in a cool location. Handle the fruits with care to avoid denting or bruising, as this can cause the fruits to rot prematurely.
Front Side
Seed packets by Seed Needs are beautifully illustrated and provide a colorful depiction of the variety inside. We provide the common name, as well as the scientific name, seed quantity and a few specs about the variety to be grown.
Back Side
Each packet contains full growing instructions on the reverse side. Specifications on sowing the seed, growing conditions such as sunlight and moisture preferences and germination and growth information can be found as well. We also provide a QR to scan for easy reordering.
- Always Non-GMO / Untreated.
- Stored in a temperature controlled facility that's free of moisture.
- Always packaged for the current and the following growing seasons.
- True to the varieties advertised.
- 99% pure seed with no added fillers.
- Always Non-GMO / Untreated.
- Stored in a temperature controlled facility that's free of moisture.
- Always packaged for the current and the following growing seasons.
- True to the varieties advertised.
- 99% pure seed with no added fillers.
Always fresh and intended for the current and following growing seasons. Seeds are packaged in water resistant / tear resistant packaging.
Heirlooms are varieties that have been purposely bred, selected and passed down from generation to generation. They are wholesome picks that will breed true to the parent seed every time.
Seed Needs never knowingly purchases treated seeds products. We also do not treat any of our seed products with substances such as neonicotinoid or thyram.
Seed Needs promises to never knowingly purchase or supply genetically modified seed products. We take the Safe Seed Pledge!
A SEED COMPANY ON A MISSION FOR CHANGE
Seed Needs has been providing gardeners with quality seed products since 2010 and has shipped millions of packets to happy customers all over the US. We offer flowers, herbs, vegetables, vines, wildflower blends, seed packet collections and seed packet favors.
With the success of our brand, we have kept our promise to continually donate to different organizations and personally sponsor children all over the globe each and every month. We grew our sponsorships from just 1 child to over 100 children worldwide in only a few years. We would like to sincerely thank all who support us because it wouldn't be possible without you!
Check out our charitable contributions!
A SEED COMPANY ON A
MISSION FOR CHANGE
Seed Needs has been providing gardeners with quality seed products since 2010 and has shipped millions of packets to happy customers all over the US. We offer flowers, herbs, vegetables, vines, wildflower blends, seed packet collections and seed packet favors.
With the success of our brand, we have kept our promise to continually donate to different organizations and personally sponsor children all over the globe each and every month. We grew our sponsorships from just 1 child to over 100 children worldwide in only a few years. We would like to sincerely thank all who support us because it wouldn't be possible without you!
Check out our charitable contributions!