Early Crookneck Squash

Cucurbita pepo ‘Early Crookneck’

Characteristics

Culture

Early Crookneck Squash has been a favorite in vegetable gardens for over two centuries. Productive plants produce golden-yellow fruits with a slight crook and bumpy exterior. This variety produces meaty fruits that are best harvested at 5-6″ long but can be harvested smaller for even more tender fruits. These golden yellow squashes have a slight crook in the neck and a bumpy exterior texture. Plants can get relatively large if kept watered and fertilized. Early Crookneck Summer Squash has a bush-growing habit which makes fruits easy to find for harvesting.

Sow seeds directly in the garden in fertile, warm soil in full sun after danger of frost has passed. Be sure to choose an area when you did not plant squash or related crops within 2 years.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Early Crookneck, an heirloom that dates back to the 1700’s, is an open-pollinated squash variety that’s probably the most popular variety of summer squash grown in gardens across the country. Bright-yellow crookneck fruits are graced with fine, meaty texture and succulent flavor.

Problems

Squash can be susceptible to plant diseases like downy mildew and powdery mildew if leaves receive excess moisture. As a result, it’s best to use drip irrigation on squash to reduce plant moisture and feed plants more effectively. During periods of heavy rainfall, using a fungicide like Liquid Copper can help to alleviate disease pressure as well. Click here for more information about disease issues and pests.

Uses

This is a great variety for almost any squash dish you can imagine. They’re great fried, steamed, sauteed and even raw! Dishes are nicely accented by olive oil and lemon and sprinkled with chives or basil. Good for freezing.