100% Certified Organic & Demeter Certified Bio-Dynamic Seed
Grown, harvested, dried and packed on Transition Farm
NOTE - If ordering from Western Australia, please check the POSTAGE page for further information
Pumpkin '898 Squash'
Pumpkin '898 Squash'
Cucurbita moschata
‘898 Squash’, a hand sized butternut, continued the work that breeder Michael Mazourek was doing with ‘Honeynut’. With concentrated flavour still a guidepost, Michael wanted to achieve a longer storing version of the mini butternut with improved yields.
‘898 squash’ has a complex savory flavour and an inherent sweetness. With roasting, the rich flavour develops a malt like quality- the sugars oozing to form a hard, pumpkin brittle like candy around the edges of the thin-skinned squash. Compact fruit (even smaller then ‘Honeynut’) average 10 to 15 centimeters in length, and have a bulbous base with a small seed cavity that curves into a slender, rounded neck..
The skin is smooth and shiny, ripening from pale green with light striping around the stem to solid tan when mature. The small, individual serving size combines with the concentrated flavour of the dense, semi dry, orange flesh.
The yield is similar to our improved ‘Honeynut’ and we store it through late Winter.
‘898’ represents the breeding number it was given by Michael and at this time we have kept that as its name.
Please note:
‘898 squash’ is still in development and as such, there may be a percentage of the overall crop which yields a larger size butternut. In two years of development, our percentage is 1%. A portion of the sales of this variety are returned to the Cornell University breeding program to support breeding in the public sector.
SEED COUNT - 10 approx, 50 approx
Germination: Lot#18423 88% Apr 2023
Seed Raising, Growing and Harvest Information
| Plant Type | Site | Spacing | Height | Sowing Depth |
Days to Germination |
Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | Full Sun | 30-45 cm between plants 1-1.5m between rows |
30cm | 10mm | 5-7 days @ 24-35°C |
110 days |
TRANSPLANTING - Sow 2-3 seeds per 5cm container 3 weeks prior to transplanting. Germinate at 24-35°C. Thin with scissors to 1 plant/container with scissors. Harden plants 4–7 days prior to transplanting. After danger of frost has passed, transplant out 30cm between plants in rows 1m apart. Handle seedlings carefully; minimal root disturbance is best.
DIRECT SEEDING - Sow in late spring when soil is at least 21°C and frost danger has passed. Sow 2-4 seeds allowing 30-45cm between mounds, 25mm deep. Thin to 1 plant per spacing interval after seedlings are established.
HARVEST - Fruits can tolerate 1-2 light frosts, however, temperatures below -2°C can damage fruit. When fruit color is fully developed, clip handles close to the vine. Avoid picking up fruits by handles and take care not to damage the skin/rind. Sun cure in the field for 5-7 days or cure indoors by keeping fruits at 27-29°C with good air ventilation. Store at 10-15°C with 50-70% relative humidity and good ventilation.
