Growing Queensland Blue Winter Squash Heirloom Vegetable Garden Seeds
Queensland Blue Winter Squash Seed Growth Habits:
Queensland Blue winter squash produces large fruit weighing up to 20 lbs. on vigorously growing vines. Queensland Blue winter squash seeds require warm soils between 60 and 95 degrees F to germinate. About 2 weeks after your last frost date, the seeds can be directly sown in the ground. If you have a shorter growing season, the squash seeds can be started indoors up to a month prior to your last frost date.
While they can be grown throughout the year in Australia, Queensland Blue winter squash are grown in the United States as an annual which is harvested in the late fall and often stored for use during the winter months.
Queensland Blue winter squash plants should be provided with approximately an inch of water each week, whether through rain or irrigation.
Like pumpkins, winter squash grows best in very fertile, well-draining soil, so it is recommended that the planting site be amended with compost.
Various Uses for Queensland Blue Winter Squash:
With its sweet, orange-colored flesh, Queensland Blue winter squash is a very popular choice for using in soups and pies, as well as for baking, roasting, and cooking as a side dish.
Queensland Blue squash is a good storage squash, and will keep for several months after it has been cured.
The squash seeds can be seasoned with salt or spices and roasted.
Queensland Blue Winter Squash and Squash Seed Benefits:
Queensland Blue winter squash is a good source of beta-carotene, vitamins, and minerals.
When eaten as a snack, squash seeds provide healthy fats and minerals, including magnesium.
Additional Information:
This is an Australian heirloom, brought to the United States in the 30s. The rind is ribbed, deep blue/green, and the flesh is bright orange, pumpkin colored. It is very popular in soups. The vegetables get large, up to 20 lbs. Though it is an annual in the united states, they can be planted all year round in Australia. Vines will get long, and need lots of room to grow. Start indoors in areas with a short growing season. Make sure to protect this squash from frost. About half way through the summer, start to remove blossoms so the plant will focus on making squash.
