Caserta Zucchini Squash Seeds

Caserta zucchini is an early cocozelle type. The bushy plant continuously produces a plethora of appetizing summer squashes. This classic heirloom made its mark early on and has stood the test of time. Originally bred at the University of Connecticut by F.H. Woodruff & Sons, it won an All-American Selection back in 1949. Due to its productivity and reliability, Caserta went on to be the parent of Black Beauty zucchini, among other popularly grown varieties. 

The squash has light green skin streaked with dark green stripes, highlighted by smooth white flesh. They are slightly tapered from the stem to the blossom end in a baseball bat shape. The zucchini tastes best when harvested at 10-15 cm. It’s a great variety for short seasons, as it’s ready to harvest in as few as 55 days. 

Be sure to check your plant often. Squashes can hide beneath the bushy foliage and swiftly swell to an unmanageable size during the heat of summer. Even still, at a larger than desired size, Caserta tastes better than most other zucchini varieties. It is an excellent variety for baking and cooking it in the oven will really bring out its sweet, nutty flavour. This stellar squash also shines when steamed, stir fried, sauteed, grilled or eaten fresh. Caserta is an excellent all-purpose zucchini that never disappoints.

- Latin Name: Curcubita pepo
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Days to Maturity: 55
- Planting Depth: 1-2 cm
- Plant Spacing: 90-120 cm
- Row Spacing: 1-1.5 m
- Growth Habit: 30-60 cm tall

GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

An abundance of delicious zucchini can be produced with little effort and space required. A summer staple, zucchini are nutritious and have a surprising number of uses in the kitchen. Zucchini will thrive situated in a sunny space with rich fertile soil. Direct sowing and starting seeds indoors are both possibilities to acquire a good crop.

When planting outdoors, wait until the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed quite a bit. Plant seeds directly into the bed at a depth of 2 cm, at least 60 cm apart. Rows should be spaced 90-120 cm apart.

Start seeds indoors in pots, about four weeks before the last frost. If kept warm, moist and well lit, squash seeds will germinate and grow at a rapid rate. It may be necessary to transplant seedlings into larger pots if their smaller containers are outgrown. After the danger of frost has passed, carefully harden off young plants. Give them shelter early on and slowly acclimate them to the sun. Plant and treat the roots gently, zucchini can be finicky when transplanting.

Water well to encourage growth and prolific flowering and fruiting. Mulch around the plants to conserve water and keep down weeds. Give the zucchini a balanced fertilizer when it starts blooming.

Pollination is crucial for zucchini plants, male flowers must fertilize the female flowers in order to produce fruit. Attract bees and other pollinators by planting zucchini among other flowering plants.

About a week after the first sign of flowers, search the plants well. Zucchini can grow to monster sizes within days without being detected. Use a knife to cut the stems and be cautious not to tear or damage the plant.

Process or eat them quickly, they spoil as quickly as they grow! Delicious breads, relish, pickles, casseroles, soup, and even pasta come to mind when hauling large loads of fresh zucchini to the kitchen.

QUICK FACTS

- There is a type of wild squash that grows wild in some parts of Africa, but it is the wild varieties from the Americas that were first domesticated over 8,000 years ago, predating the domestication of other crops such as corn and beans by about 4,000 years. Squash seeds were eventually brought to Europe in the 1500s.

- There are two main types of squash: ''summer'' and ''winter.'' Summer squash is harvested in the warm weather months and doesn't store for long. Winter squash is usually harvested in the fall and has hard skin which allows it to keep well for months.

- Zucchini seeds will remain viable for 4 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.