(Cucurbita pepo) We first learned of this Ukrainian summer squash when our friend Mary, farmer for the (now closed) acclaimed Willows Inn restaurant on nearby Lummi Island, asked us to help her find seed. The kitchen had grown fond of the variety for a dish they served, but the one commercial source in the US no longer carried it. Together, we tracked some seeds down and collaborated in hand-pollinating a crop to ensure an adequate supply for future seasons. Likely named after the city of Odesa (Одеса), a bustling port city on the Black Sea near the mouth of the Danube, it’s a “cousa” type, a summer squash typical to the Middle East with pale green speckled flesh and a bulbous blossom end. Like others of its type, Odesa has a very thin skin and exceptionally creamy flesh, slightly sweeter than other types of summer squash. Plants are vigorous, bush habit, and very productive. We’re happy to reintroduce it to the market and love to see farm-based seed initiatives like this, preserving varieties when the commercial trade abandons them. It's become a favorite in our kitchen.
60 days. UO

Packet: 20 seeds

[split]

Growing Info

SOWING:

Sow indoors 3-4 weeks before your last frost date. Keep soil moist before emergence, growing at 70F.

Transplant out 1-3 weeks after your last frost date when the soil has sufficiently warmed.

Direct sow 2-3 weeks after the last frost when soil is 70F+.

Note: Even, deep watering keeps these plants thriving.

PLANTING DEPTH:

1/2"-1"

SPACING:

18-24" at 5' between rows.

EMERGENCE:

3-7 days @ soil temp 65-85F

LIGHT:

Full sun

FERTILITY:

Medium. Prefers well-drained, evenly moist, and well-balanced fertile soil with a pH of 6.0-7.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Be gentle while transplanting to keep the root system undisturbed.

Row cover may be used to provide extra warmth, possible earlier fruit set, and prevent cucumber beetle damage. Remove as plants begin to flower.

Plant every 2-3 weeks for production.

Harvest regularly to prolong fruiting and maximize yields.

Summer Squash, 'Odesa'