Winter Squash - Gill’s Golden Pippin - 5 Seeds - Plastic Free Packaging

Gill's Golden Pippin is an heirloom 'acorn' squash introduced in the 1950's and loved for its pale orange flesh which has a versatile, more savory flavour than many other varieties. Arguably one of the best acorn squashes for taste, the attractive, uniquely coloured fruits can also be used in ornamental autumn displays. 

The Gill Brothers Seed Company in Portland described it in their 1964 catalog as a “fine variety.” It was brought back into commercial production in Oregon because as they put it, “it has 5 times the taste of most acorn squash at half the size.”

Squashes, Courgettes, Marrows and Pumpkins are all members of the same family and are classified as either summer or winter squash. Squashes come in all shapes and sizes, from massive pumpkins to tiny patty pan squashes. Summer squash has a thinner skin and is quicker to mature than winter squash: some varieties can be picked as early as 50 days after planting.

Summer squashes include zucchini or courgettes and marrows. Begin harvesting courgettes when the young fruits reach 10cm long. Picking young fruits encourages the development of more fruits. Leaving the fruits to reach 20-25cm produces a Marrow. To test the ripeness of the Marrow push your thumbnail into the surface near the stalk, if this is easy it is ripe for picking.

Winter squash are large, thick skinned and slow growing: their fruit may take from 80 to 120 days to fully mature. In general, the larger the fruit, the longer the time to harvest. Winter squash include butternuts and pumpkins. Winter squash should not be cut until the skin is rock hard. All squash are warm-weather plants that require protection from frost. Squash seeds will generally germinate best at temperatures of 70° F (21° C) or higher. Ideally squash seed should be sown individually in 3 inch pots, two weeks after last frost. In the UK, late May to early June is the best time to move plants outside, where they can grow on and mature in pots and containers, grow-bags or in beds. The amount of spacing required varies, but a good rule of thumb is to allow 36-60 inches (90-150cm) per plant.

Gill's Golden Pippin growing instructions - Sow indoors March - May, singly 1.5cm deep, edge down inputs of good quality compost. Keep at 16 - 21C. Harden off in late May. Plant out in June, spacing 90cm apart. If sowing outdoors, May - June, sow seeds edge down. 1,5cm deep. Again, allow 90cm between plants. Keep well watered and pinch out growing tips when 5-6 fruits have set. 

All orders are normally dispatched by the next working day. Orders over £10 receive free seeds.