Super Squash and Prime Pumpkin Varieties for Growers To Pick and Choose

By Carol Miller|Updated: November 01, 2023

Check out this array of squash and pumpkin selections from some of the industry’s top vegetable breeders.

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Amish Pie (Terra Organics)

‘Amish Pie’ is a winter heirloom squash. The average weight is 60 to 80 pounds. It’s an excellent choice for fresh market. The orange flesh is thick and moist. Great for canning and pie baking. Matures in 100 days. It’s widely adapted throughout the U.S.

SeedsByDesign.com
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Autumn Cup (Rupp Seeds)

The first hybrid semi-bush buttercup winter squash. It’s dark green, with very high quality flesh and high yields. ‘Autumn Cup’ has a reduced button when compared to ‘Burgess’ and slightly more oval. Now a Rupp Exclusive!!! Regions: U.S. and Canada. Matures in 95 days.

RuppSeeds.com
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Autumn Frost (Seedway)

Disease package: IR: Pm

A uniquely ribbed, round fruit, ripens to dark tan with a frosted overlay. ‘Autumn Frost’s’ fruit is similar in taste to a butternut, with superior quality, and rich flavor. It has a shelf life of up to 4 months after maturity, allowing for a supply of high-quality fruit throughout the winter season. Matures in 100 days.

Seedway.com
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Autumn Pearl (Seedway)

Disease package: IR: Pm

Pie pumpkins are a favorite everywhere! ‘Autumn Pearl’ makes its introduction into the pie pumpkin class with an all-around eye catching appearance: sturdy handle, distinct ribbing, and dark-orange color. One to try for 100 to 110 count bins. Recommended spacing is 15 to 18 square feet per plant. The average weight is 3 to 6 pounds. Matures in 95 days.

Seedway.com
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Bellorado (Colorado Seeds, Stokes Seeds Inc.)

Disease package: IR: Px

‘Bellorado’ produces high yields of marketable fruit. Orange flesh with high sugars for acorn squash 10 to 12%, and deep ribbing. Matures in 80 days.

US.StokeSeeds.com
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Big Deal (Sakata Seed America)

Disease package: IR: Px

‘Big Deal’ is an extra- large pumpkin with an attractive, dark-orange color. The average weight is 25 to 30 pounds. It has a large, attached, dark-green handle. Region: CA, Mid maturing pumpkin.

SakataVegeables.com
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Black Bear (Johnny's Selected Seeds)

Disease Resistance: Powdery mildew (intermediate)

Black Bear maintains its exceptionally dark color post-harvest and provides beautiful contrast to orange and white pumpkins. Cute, small, "true pumpkin" shape makes it ideal for autumn decorations. High-yielding and exceptionally uniform. Early to harvest.

Johnnyseeds.com
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Colorado Sun (Lark Seed, Gowan Seed Company)

A unique stacking squash with distinct ribbing. ‘Colorado Sun’ has multi-colors of various red shades with blue streaks. It has an excellent storage life. The average weight is 8 to 12 pounds. Matures in 100 days.

LarkSeeds.com
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Delica (Takii & Company, Ltd.)

A Kabocha vigorous hybrid squash with good fruit setting. ‘Delica's’ flesh is thick, and deep yellow and is sweet and flavorful. Best production requires low humidity and moderate temperatures. The average weight is around 4 pounds (1.8 kg). It has wide adaptability. Matures in 45 to 50 days, after flowering.

Takii.com
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Delicata Bush (Seeds by Design)

‘Delicata Bush’ is a winter squash. A 2002 National AAS Winner. It’s yellow with dark-green stripes, and 3 to 4 feet long vines. A great fresh market variety. Grows well throughout the U.S. Matures in 80 to 100 days.

SeedsByDesign.com
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Galaxy (EarthWork Seeds, Gowan Seed Company)

Disease package: IR: Px

A Gowan Seed Company exclusive! This hybrid acorn squash was developed to have reduced ground spot with exceptional dark-green color, that holds longer in storage than similar varieties. It's compact unique upright plant type and high yields have made ‘Galaxy’ a standout in our trials! Matures in 75 days.

OsborneSeed.com
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Jarradale (Terra Organics)

‘Jarradale’ is a blue-grey winter squash. It’s a flat and ribbed fruit, (Australian variety). The average weight is 7 to 8 pounds. A fresh market show stopper! It grows well throughout the U.S. Matures in 100 days.

SeedsByDesign.com
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Mashed Potato (Seneca Vegetable Research, Stokes Seeds Inc.)

A fantastic stark white acorn squash that holds its color into late fall. ‘Mashed Potato’ has a compact vine that is very productive. The large fruit is football-shaped, with nearly white flesh. Matures in 90 days.

US.StokeSeeds.com
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Odette (Enza Zaden)

Disease package: IR: ZYMV, WMV, PRSV

‘Odette’ is a Musquee de Provence Winter Squash. It offers highly uniform fruits with a traditional looking exterior. Vines are vigorous and productive. Fruits average 13 to 22 pound (6-10kg) and are relatively late to mature.

EnzaZaden.com
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Orange Peel (Outstanding Seed Company LLC)

Disease package: PM

‘Orange Peel’ is a mini pumpkin with orange and green stripes on a creamy yellow background. Early maturing fruit average one pound and have excellent handles. Compact plants offer exceptional yield potential. Widely adapted to U.S. Matures in 95 days.

OutstandingSeed.com
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Prince Charming (Outstanding Seed Company LLC)

‘Prince Charming’ is a flat, ribbed, glossy, deep-red stacking pumpkin. Beautiful fruit average 23 pounds. Compared to the true vintage 'Rouge vif D'Etampes', ‘Prince Charming’ offers all the benefits of a modern hybrid including surety of trueness to type, and excellent yield potential. Widely adapted to U.S. Matures in 100 days.

OutstandingSeed.com
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Rupp's Turk's Turban (Rupp Seeds)

A large, ornamental turban winter squash. Regions: U.S. and Canada. Matures in 110 days.

RuppSeeds.com
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Spellcast (Enza Zaden)

‘Spellcast’ is a unique stacker winter squash in the edible ornamental class. This uniform hybrid is crossed with a butternut, giving it great eating quality, along with being an attractive fall ornamental. Buff-colored, flat-round fruits stack easily and offer a unique color palette for displays and bins. Plants are highly productive and relatively early to mature.

EnzaZaden.com
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Strawberry Crown (Seeds by Design)

‘Strawberry Crown’ is a winter squash that originated from Brazil, It’s a round and flattened fruit. A blush with a hint of salmon at the crown, and the flesh is thick and sweet. Great for roasting and baking! Well adapted throughout the U.S., and a nice variety for fresh market. Matures in 110 days.

SeedsByDesign.com