Tromboncino Zucchini Squash Seeds

Judging by the shape of this heirloom squash, one might correctly guess ‘tromboncino’ translates to trumpet. Native to the Liguria region of Italy, this unique squash is popular in its homeland and abroad. 

The light yellow-green squash has a long, curved gooseneck that comes to a bell-shaped blossom end. The skin ripens to a dull tan colour if left on the vine, making it a novel winter squash or decorative gourd. The vines should be trellised to accommodate their trailing nature — watch them climb and flourish. Most growers recommend they be harvested at around 65 days when they are 20-25 cm long to get the best flavour. Another option is to pick at 100 days and cure for storage. 

Tromboncino produces an abundance of unique and delicious squashes. They are great for grilling, steaming and eating fresh when young and tender. Even the gigantic male flowers can be picked for stuffing or frying. This one-of-a-kind Italian cultivar is such a delight to grow you’ll be trumpeting its praises every time you visit your garden! 

- Latin Name: Cucurbita moschata
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Days to Maturity: 50 days to summer squash / 100 days to winter squash
- Planting Depth: 1-2 cm
- Plant Spacing: 50-60 cm
- Row Spacing: 90-120 cm
- Growth Habit: Vine

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.