Varieties of Heirloom Squash To Plant in Your Garden

Heirloom squash offers a remarkable connection to our horticultural past through its diverse flavors and forms. These open-pollinated cultivars pass down their unique traits from one generation to the next. Gardeners who choose these seeds help preserve agricultural biodiversity for future enjoyment and sustenance.

Many of these squash varieties possess stories that stretch back centuries with rich cultural histories. They provide superior tastes and textures that modern hybrids often lack in their quest for uniformity. A home garden filled with heirloom plants becomes a living museum of delicious, edible history.

These varieties of heirloom squash to plant in your garden will elevate your outdoor space and your table. Each selection presents distinct characteristics that make it a worthy addition to your seasonal harvest. Discover a world of squash that extends far beyond the typical grocery store selection.

Black Beauty Zucchini

This classic summer squash became an All-America Selections winner more than 60 years ago. Its dark green, glossy skin covers tender, creamy white flesh with a delicate, mild flavor. The plant's open, bushy habit makes harvesting straightforward for any home gardener.

These prolific plants produce an abundant harvest from early summer through the first frost. Harvest the fruits when they are six to eight inches long for the best texture. This versatile squash adapts well to a variety of culinary preparations, from sautés to baked dishes.

Boston Marrow Squash

This beautiful squash boasts a vibrant reddish-orange skin that makes it a garden standout. It has a teardrop shape that tapers toward the stem end for a unique look. The sweet, dry, stringless flesh has a flavor some compare to that of a sweet potato.

Native American tribes of the Northeast originally cultivated this particular winter squash variety. It stores exceptionally well, often for several months under the right cool, dry conditions. This makes it a dependable food source for your family throughout the winter season.

Delicata Squash

Known as the sweet potato squash, Delicata offers a truly delectable eating experience. It has a creamy, nutty flavor with hints of brown sugar and corn that delight palates. The thin, edible skin means you do not need to peel it before you cook it.

These compact vining plants produce small, oblong fruits perfect for individual servings at mealtime. They mature relatively quickly for winter squash, often ready to harvest in about 80 days. Its smaller size suits gardens with limited space, a trait many modern gardeners appreciate.

Galeux d'Eysines Squash

This unique French heirloom presents a salmon-pink rind covered in peanut-like warts and bumps. These fascinating warts develop as the sugars within the squash become more concentrated. It makes a whimsical and decorative addition to any autumn display before you cook it.

Beneath its curious exterior lies a treasure of smooth, sweet, and firm orange flesh. The flavor is exceptionally rich, which makes it perfect for soups, pies, and savory roasts. This squash provides a memorable culinary adventure from the garden to your dinner plate.

Golden Hubbard Squash

The Golden Hubbard is a large winter squash that can weigh up to 12 pounds. It has a hard, golden-orange rind that protects the sweet, fine-grained flesh inside it. The plant requires ample space to sprawl, so plan your garden layout with care.

This variety has an excellent storage life, often for six months or even longer. Its nutty, sweet flavor improves with a few weeks of curing after the harvest. It is a fantastic choice for hearty fall meals, from thick stews to side dishes.

Marina di Chioggia Squash

This Italian heirloom, also known as the sea squash, hails from a coastal village. Its bumpy, turban-like appearance features a rich, dark blue-green skin that is quite remarkable. The plant produces large, heavy fruits that make a statement in any vegetable patch.

The flesh is a brilliant yellow-orange, known for its sweet taste and dry texture. Italians traditionally use this delicious squash for their gnocchi and for flavorful ravioli fillings. With quality backyard seed kits, you can cultivate this delicacy right at home and enjoy more varieties.

Musquee de Provence Squash

This beautiful French heirloom looks like a deeply ribbed, flattened wheel of cheese from Provence. It begins as a green squash, then slowly ripens to a lovely shade of bronze. The plant's vigorous vines require a generous amount of garden space to grow properly.

Its deep orange flesh is dense, sweet, and has a characteristically fruity, musky aroma. The complex flavor profile lends itself well to sweet and savory recipes. This squash stores for many months, which allows you to savor its taste over time.

Pattypan Squash

Pattypan, or scallop squash, comes in many lovely colors like yellow, white, and green. These small, round, and shallow squashes have scalloped edges that give them a fun shape. Their delicate flavor and firm texture make them a popular summer squash for gardeners.

The plants are bushy and compact, making them a great fit for smaller gardens or container setups. Harvest them when they are two to three inches across for the best quality. They are wonderful when steamed, grilled, or stuffed with your favorite savory fillings.

Rouge Vif d'Etampes Squash

This classic French pumpkin is the variety that Cinderella’s fairy godmother might have used. It has a flattened, ribbed shape and a brilliant, deep red-orange color that catches attention. The large vines produce impressive fruits that are perfect for autumn home decoration.

Beyond its fairytale appearance, it offers moderately sweet flesh that is good for pies. People in France often use it as a base for hearty, traditional pumpkin soup. It adds a touch of classic elegance and flavor to any harvest celebration or meal.

Thelma Sanders' Sweet Potato Squash

This beautiful acorn-type squash is a treasured heirloom from the state of Missouri. The cream-colored fruits have a distinct shape with deep ribs and a pointed end. It is a productive plant that shows good resistance to many common pests and diseases.

The flesh is golden and has a sweet flavor similar to that of sweet potatoes. It has notes of chestnut and corn, with an exceptionally smooth, buttery, and delicious texture. This variety stores well and tastes fantastic when baked, roasted, or steamed for dinner.

The world of heirloom vegetables offers immense rewards for the dedicated home gardener. These varieties of heirloom squash to plant in your garden provide superior flavor, unique appearances, and a connection to an important agricultural heritage.

When you cultivate these seeds, you help preserve genetic diversity. Choose a few of these remarkable heirlooms for your next garden plan. Your efforts will produce a bountiful harvest of delicious, beautiful, and historically significant food.