Uncle David's Dakota Dessert
Cucurbita maxima
HOW TO GROW WINTER SQUASH MAXIMA
Start indoors 3–4 weeks before last frost, plant out 2 weeks after last frost. Start 3 seeds in flats or 4” pots, thin to 1-2 plants. Direct seed after last frost or soil 70˚F. Seeds will rot in cool wet soil. 5-6 seeds to a 12” diameter hill or disturbed area. Can transplant end of last frost with row cover. Cucurbita maxima is typically cultivated in cooler areas than C. moschata or C. angyrosperma. Cure in warm dry place such as a garage for one week after harvest. Pinch new blossoms midsummer to encourage larger set fruit size. Soil pH 5.1-7.0. Hardiness zones 4-11. Annual.
Days from maturity calculated from the date of seeding. Average 176-300 seeds per ounce. Average 15M seeds per acre. Federal germination standard: 75%. Usual seed life: 6 years. Isolation distance for seed saving: 1/2 mile.
Planting Depth 1/2-1”
Soil Temp. Germ. 70-85˚F
Days to Germ. 3-10
Plant Spacing 18-24”
Row Spacing 6’
Days To Maturity 95–105
Full Sun, Moist Well Drained
Days from maturity calculated from the date of seeding. Average 176-300 seeds per ounce. Average 15M seeds per acre. Federal germination standard: 75%. Usual seed life: 6 years. Isolation distance for seed saving: 1/2 mile.
Planting Depth 1/2-1”
Soil Temp. Germ. 70-85˚F
Days to Germ. 3-10
Plant Spacing 18-24”
Row Spacing 6’
Days To Maturity 95–105
Full Sun, Moist Well Drained
- 25 Seeds$3.50
- 1 Ounce$24.50
- 1/4 Pound$76.50
Bred by David Podoll, this buttercup-type variety is a cross between Hubbard, Gold Nugget and other maximas. You benefit from over 40 years of selection work: the Podoll family has been selecting for deep orange color, thick flesh, rich taste, sweetness, smooth texture, vigor and hardiness in cold weather. The e...
Bred by David Podoll, this buttercup-type variety is a cross between Hubbard, Gold Nugget and other maximas. You benefit from over 40 years of selection work: the Podoll family has been selecting for deep orange color, thick flesh, rich taste, sweetness, smooth texture, vigor and hardiness in cold weather. The end-result is a real work-horse variety with the ability to produce solid yields for you in variable conditions. This full-flavored, rich tasting squash stars as a side-dish and is an excellent player in pies and desserts.
This is Open Source Pledged Seed (OSSI). By purchasing this seed you are a part of the Free The Seed movement. This variety is registered as an OSSI-pledged variety and seed. “You have the freedom to use these OSSI-Pledged seeds in any way you choose. In return, you pledge not to restrict others’ use of these seeds or their derivatives by patents or other means, and to include this pledge with any transfer of these seeds or their derivatives.” To learn more, visit: www.osseeds.org/about/.
Tags: Type: Maxima, Color: Green, Shape: Fat, Heritage: Open Source OSSI, Season: Late Summer Fall, Certification: Organic.
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Meet Your Farmer
We promote fair trade, organic practices and environmental responsibility throughout the Restoration Seeds supply chain. Below are the family farmers and seed suppliers who bring our open pollinated seeds to you.
Prairie Road Organic Seed
Certified Organic by Intl. Certification Services
Seed grower since 1997
The family garden and a tradition of selective seed-saving for agronomic performance under organic conditions in northern climates and superb eating qualities, provides the basis for seed production at Prairie Road Organic Seed. Certified organic since 1977, David, Dan and Theresa Podoll began producing certified organic seed in 1997.
The Podolls have released four varieties bred in the garden and selected for the family table, including Uncle David’s Dakota Dessert squash, Dakota Rose watermelon, Dakota Black popcorn, and Dakota Sport tomato. They specialize in tomato seed improvement and production of many heritage varieties. Other seed crops include sweet corn, flint corn, pumpkin, beet, carrot, leek, cucumber, grey proso millet, rye, triticale, oats, buckwheat, and poppy.
The Podolls have cultured a rich family history of cooperative involvement and the Family Farmers Seed Cooperative was a natural fit philosophically, economically and socially. Cooperation and exchange have been the basis of varietal improvement and seed development for millennia. For the Podolls, the Family Farmers Seed Cooperative builds on that heritage and wisdom of the ages.
The Podolls have released four varieties bred in the garden and selected for the family table, including Uncle David’s Dakota Dessert squash, Dakota Rose watermelon, Dakota Black popcorn, and Dakota Sport tomato. They specialize in tomato seed improvement and production of many heritage varieties. Other seed crops include sweet corn, flint corn, pumpkin, beet, carrot, leek, cucumber, grey proso millet, rye, triticale, oats, buckwheat, and poppy.
The Podolls have cultured a rich family history of cooperative involvement and the Family Farmers Seed Cooperative was a natural fit philosophically, economically and socially. Cooperation and exchange have been the basis of varietal improvement and seed development for millennia. For the Podolls, the Family Farmers Seed Cooperative builds on that heritage and wisdom of the ages.
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