Thelma Sanders Acorn squash
$4.00 – $7.00
(Cucurbita pepo)
Vigorous, productive vines produce about six fruit apiece with no watering in our garden. Pale yellow, deeply ribbed fruits have excellent flavour which some say is reminiscent of sweet potato. This variety is one of the veterans of Seed Savers Exchange, which deserves the credit for it being around (and increasingly popular) today. Thelma Sanders of Kirksville, Missouri gave its seed to Evert Pettit, who gave it to Sue and Tom Knoche, early members of SSE. Seed saving networks are invaluable!
Start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, with 1-2 seeds per pot 1/2” deep and thinned to strongest plant. Can also direct seed after frost in late May- early June. Plant three plants per hill, 8’ apart for vines and 4’ apart for bushes. Topdress with manure. If planting with corn and beans, plant in separate hills between rows of corn hills at same time as corn. Before frost, harvest squash, leaving a stub of stem several inches long; cure indoors for several weeks to a month. Store at room temperature.