Commonly called Pattypan Squash, this variety originated among the Native North Americans. Cymlings were well-known in the colonies by the 1790's and Thomas Jefferson said they were "one of our finest and most innocent vegetables". They were frequently grown in his retirement garden as well as in the gardens of Monticello's enslaved African Americans, and were used in soups and stews with butter, salt, and pepper. Jefferson-documented: This plant was documented by Thomas Jefferson in his Garden Book, Notes on the State of Virginia, or other writings.
Direct sow seeds in hills or rows after the last spring frost; for hills, sow 6-8 seeds in 12"-wide hills, then thin to 3-4 plants per hill. Plants prefer moist but well-drained, fertile soil. Semi-twining type. Approximately 30 seeds per packet.
Details
Genus | Cucurbita |
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Species | pepo |
Exposure | Full Sun | Planting Method | Direct Sow | Planting Depth | 1" |
Days to Emerge | 5 - 10 |
Plant Spacing | plants 4 - 8" apart in rows or hills 3 - 4' apart; |
Habit | 2' H; 3 - 4' W |
Jefferson documented |