Early Prolific Straightneck, Squash Seeds

Early Prolific Straightneck Squash Seed

Award-winning heirloom delivers bright classic summer squash
Early productive plants have pleased gardeners since 1938
Pick five-to-six-inch fruits for maximum tenderness
Larger straightneck harvests remain useful for cooking

See product details

Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Cucurbita pepo

Days to maturity

42 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

25 Seeds

About Early Prolific Straightneck, Squash Seed, Squash Seed

The Early Prolific Straightneck Squash is a summer squash that is very popular in the United States. This variety is a tasty, bright yellow, straight-necked type squash that tapers towards the stem end. Harvest this squash at 12-14 inches long but are more tender and succulent when they are 5-6 inches long. In 1938, the Early Prolific Straightneck was an All-American Selection winner!

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

Days to Germination

4–10 days

In-row plant spacing

18-24"

Row Spacing

Plant profile

Maturity

Summer

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

18-36"

Growth Habits

Compact, Upright

Type

Yellow Summer

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

394

Color

Yellow

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Growing Season

Warm-Season Crop

Before Planting

Squash grows best in a full-sun, warm location with fertile, well-drained soil and ample space for vines. Incorporate compost and correct nutrients according to a soil test, then shape raised beds or hills where drainage is slow. Wait until the soil is warm, and install trellises before planting if squash will be trained vertically.

Planting

Squash can be direct-sown after frost when soil reaches about 65–70°F, or started indoors 3–4 weeks earlier in individual cells. Keep the medium warm and evenly moist until emergence. Harden seedlings gradually and transplant without disturbing the sensitive roots. Space bush summer squash 18–36 inches apart and long-vining winter squash 6–10 feet apart.

Watering

Maintain even soil moisture for squash during bloom and fruit development, providing about 1–2 inches weekly when rainfall is short. Deep, soil-level watering supports uniform fruit and reduces stress without keeping the bed saturated.

Fertilizer

Side-dress squash with balanced fertilizer after establishment and again as flowering or fruiting begins. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes foliage while reducing flowers, fruit, or maturity.

Harvesting

Harvest squash when fruit reaches the variety’s expected size, color, and firmness. Cut or twist gently without damaging stems, and pick regularly so overmature fruit does not slow continued production.

Tips

Train squash vines onto sturdy supports when practical, securing heavy fruit with slings. Remove row covers once flowering begins, and hand-pollinate if fruit starts swelling then aborts.

AVG. Seeding Rate

300 seeds/100'; 22,000–26,000 seeds/acre

Pests & Diseases

Powdery and downy mildews, bacterial wilt, Phytophthora blight, gummy stem blight, and mosaic viruses affect squash. Plant resistant varieties, rotate cucurbits, control cucumber beetles, and avoid saturated beds. Remove permanently wilted or mosaic vines and discard fruit with water-soaked, sunken, or expanding lesions.

Squash is especially vulnerable to squash bugs, vine borers, and cucumber beetles, with aphids and mites possible in hot weather. Exclude early pests with row cover, then uncover for pollination and scout frequently.