All About Squash: Grow Abundant Vines in Mountain Gardens

🍈 All About Squash: Zucchini, Pumpkins, Gourds & More

Your essential guide to growing abundant, joyful vines in the mountain garden.

If there's one family that knows how to throw a summer garden party, it's the Cucurbitaceae crew—zucchini, pumpkins, gourds, cucumbers, and melons. These sprawling growers love warm soil, plenty of sunshine, and good airflow. They ask for space to stretch their legs (and by legs, we mean vines) and reward you with a bounty so generous you'll be handing out zucchini at the farmer's market, the post office, and to anyone who makes eye contact.

Despite their party-loving spirit, these plants are a bit high maintenance. They’re frost-sensitive, heavy feeders, and prone to pesky guests like powdery mildew and squash bugs. But once established, they’re prolific—plant once, and you'll harvest for months.

🌟 Heads up:If you love the fun and funky varieties — think bicolor patty pans, tromboncinos, and tiny mouse melons — be sure to preorder!Quantities are limited. (Don't worry: we'll have plenty of classic green zucchini too.)

Growing Squash in Mountain Conditions

Because our mountain seasons are short and our nights stay cool longer, squash needs a little special handling to thrive. Start seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before your last frost date, using peat pots or soil blocks to avoid root disturbance. Keep the soil cozy—70–80ºF—and give your babies strong light.

When it's time to transplant, harden them off for 5–7 days and wait until nights reliably stay above 50ºF. Bush types need 2–3 feet of elbow room; vining types prefer 3–5 feet. Trellises can help tame the wildness and encourage airflow.

Feed these hungry vines with compost and organic fertilizer at planting. Mulch heavily to lock in moisture and keep soil splash (a big disease spreader) to a minimum. Water deeply and consistently—aim for the soil, not the leaves—to keep mildew at bay.

When harvest time rolls around, summer squash are best picked young and tender. Winter squash and gourds need patience: harvest when their skins are hard and their vines begin to wither.

Meet the Family

Zucchini & Summer Squash

Zucchini & summer squash are the reliable workhorses of our county. They don’t need coddling—just warm soil, sunshine, and steady water. Even first-time gardeners can enjoy overflowing baskets. Summer squash are about as close to \"guaranteed\" as you get up here.

Summer Squash (including Zucchini)

Caserta Zucchini

• Size: Medium

• Color: Light green with darker stripes

• Shape: Cylindrical

• Taste Notes: Tender, flavorful

• Used For: Fresh Eating, Grilling

• Growth Habit: Bush

• Seed Saving: C. pepo – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Italian heirloom known for rapid production and rich flavor.

Green Machine Zucchini

• Size: Medium

• Color: Deep green

• Shape: Cylindrical

• Taste Notes: Mild, tender

• Used For: Fresh Eating, Sautéing, Baking

• Growth Habit: Bush

• Seed Saving: C. pepo – Hybrid

• Fun Fact: Highly productive hybrid bred for compact habit and disease resistance.

Tromboncino

• Size: Large (vines can produce 3-foot fruits)

• Color: Pale green maturing to tan

• Shape: Long, curved

• Taste Notes: Mild, nutty

• Used For: Fresh Eating (young), Roasting (mature)

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: C. moschata – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Dual-purpose Italian heirloom used both as summer and winter squash.

Early Summer Yellow Crookneck

• Size: Small-Medium

• Color: Bright yellow

• Shape: Crooknecked

• Taste Notes: Sweet, buttery

• Used For: Fresh Eating, Sautéing

• Growth Habit: Bush

• Seed Saving: C. pepo – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: American heirloom dating back to the 1700s.

White Bush Lebanese

• Size: Medium

• Color: Pale creamy white

• Shape: Cylindrical, stubby

• Taste Notes: Mild, slightly sweet

• Used For: Fresh Eating, Cooking

• Growth Habit: Bush

• Seed Saving: C. pepo – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Traditional Lebanese variety prized for tender texture.

Y-Star Bicolor Patty Pan

• Size: Small

• Color: Bright yellow with green blossom end

• Shape: Scalloped disc

• Taste Notes: Nutty, buttery

• Used For: Grilling, Roasting, Stuffing

• Growth Habit: Bush

• Seed Saving: C. pepo – Hybrid

• Fun Fact: Eye-catching hybrid patty pan with vigorous production.

Black Zucchini

• Size: Medium

• Color: Very dark green (nearly black)

• Shape: Cylindrical

• Taste Notes: Tender, rich

• Used For: Fresh Eating, Sautéing, Baking

• Growth Habit: Bush

• Seed Saving: C. pepo – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Deeply colored zucchini often prized for early production.

Gentry Yellow

• Size: Medium

• Color: Bright yellow

• Shape: Smooth, slight curve

• Taste Notes: Mild, buttery

• Used For: Fresh Eating, Sautéing

• Growth Habit: Bush

• Seed Saving: C. pepo – Hybrid

• Fun Fact: Hybrid squash bred for excellent yields and disease tolerance.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers can be a little fussy. They’re happiest with a bit of protection—like low tunnels or a cozy spot shielded from mountain winds. Get it right, and you’ll be slicing crisp cucumbers into your salad and making your pickling dreams come true.

Lemon

• Size: Small

• Color: Pale yellow-green

• Shape: Round

• Taste Notes: Mild, sweet, crisp

• Used For: Fresh Eating, Pickling

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: Cucumis sativus – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Popular heirloom, especially suited for short seasons; originated in Australia.

Quick Snack

• Size: Small

• Color: Dark green

• Shape: Oval/short

• Taste Notes: Sweet, juicy

• Used For: Fresh Eating

• Growth Habit: Bush

• Seed Saving: Cucumis sativus – Hybrid

• Fun Fact: A mini cucumber developed for container gardens and small spaces.

Suhyo

• Size: Large (up to 15" long)

• Color: Deep green

• Shape: Long and slender

• Taste Notes: Sweet, mild, burpless

• Used For: Fresh Eating

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: Cucumis sativus – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Traditional Japanese variety, known for its gentle flavor and thin skin.

Telegraph Improved

• Size: Large

• Color: Medium green

• Shape: Long and uniform

• Taste Notes: Mild, crisp

• Used For: Greenhouse Growing, Fresh Eating

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: Cucumis sativus – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: English heirloom variety prized in Victorian-era greenhouses.

Painted Serpent

• Size: Very Large (can grow over 2 feet long)

• Color: Light green with darker stripes

• Shape: Long and coiled

• Taste Notes: Crisp, refreshing

• Used For: Fresh Eating

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: Cucumis melo – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Technically a melon, not a cucumber; Armenian heirloom.

Mexican Sour Gherkin

• Size: Tiny (grape-sized)

• Color: Green with lighter striping

• Shape: Oval

• Taste Notes: Tart, citrusy, crisp

• Used For: Pickling, Snacking

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: Melothria scabra – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Also known as \"mouse melon,\" native to Mexico and Central America.

Ronda Pickling

• Size: Small-Medium

• Color: Dark green

• Shape: Short, slightly blocky

• Taste Notes: Crisp

• Used For: Pickling

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: Cucumis sativus – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Traditional European pickling cucumber variety.

Common Wealth

• Size: Medium

• Color: Green

• Shape: Straight, slightly tapered

• Taste Notes: Mild, juicy

• Used For: Fresh Eating

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: Cucumis sativus – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Named to honor the Common Wealth Seed Growers co-op initiative.

Winter Squash

Winter squash are the marathon runners of the garden. They need a longer season than many of us get, so choosing faster-maturing varieties helps!

Butterbush

• Size: Small

• Color: Tan

• Shape: Bell-shaped

• Taste Notes: Sweet, nutty

• Used For: Roasting, Baking, Storage

• Growth Habit: Bush

• Seed Saving: C. moschata – Hybrid

• Fun Fact: A space-saving butternut hybrid ideal for small gardens.

Black Futsu

• Size: Small-Medium

• Color: Dark green maturing to dusty orange

• Shape: Flattened and deeply ribbed

• Taste Notes: Sweet, nutty

• Used For: Roasting, Soups

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: C. moschata – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Traditional Japanese heirloom valued for flavor and beauty.

Naked Bear

• Size: Medium

• Color: Orange

• Shape: Round

• Taste Notes: Mild, sweet

• Used For: Seeds (hull-less for snacking)

• Growth Habit: Semi-bush

• Seed Saving: C. pepo – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Grown primarily for its hull-less seeds, perfect for roasting.

Spaghetti Squash

• Size: Medium

• Color: Yellow

• Shape: Oval

• Taste Notes: Mild, nutty

• Used For: Roasting, Pasta Substitute

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: C. pepo – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: When cooked, the flesh separates into spaghetti-like strands.

Carnival Squash

• Size: Small

• Color: Cream with green, orange, and yellow stripes

• Shape: Round with deep ribs

• Taste Notes: Sweet, nutty

• Used For: Roasting, Baking

• Growth Habit: Bush/Vining

• Seed Saving: C. pepo – Hybrid

• Fun Fact: A colorful cross between Sweet Dumpling and Acorn squash.

Bush Delicata

• Size: Small

• Color: Cream with green stripes

• Shape: Elongated

• Taste Notes: Very sweet, creamy

• Used For: Roasting

• Growth Habit: Bush

• Seed Saving: C. pepo – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: A compact-growing Delicata perfect for small spaces.

Burgess Buttercup

• Size: Medium

• Color: Dark green with lighter stripes

• Shape: Turban-shaped

• Taste Notes: Dense, sweet, nutty

• Used For: Roasting, Mashing

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: C. maxima – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Classic New England heirloom first introduced in 1932.

Gourds

Gourds are whimsical, resilient, and endlessly useful.

Luffa Gourd

• Size: Large (up to 2 feet)

• Color: Green, matures to brown when dried

• Shape: Elongated, cylindrical

• Taste Notes: Edible when young (mild, squash-like), not eaten when mature

• Used For: Bath sponges, Crafts

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: Luffa aegyptiaca – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Dried luffa fibers have been used for centuries as natural scrubbers.

Tennessee Dancing Gourd

• Size: Tiny (fits in the palm)

• Color: Green with light stripes

• Shape: Round with a little neck

• Taste Notes: Not for eating

• Used For: Decoration, Toys

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: C. pepo – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Traditionally used as spinning toys and decorations by Appalachian communities.

Melons

Melons are the prima donnas of the mountain garden. They demand near-perfection — heat, protection, and impeccable timing. But when you pull it off? Oh, the glory!

Divergent Melon

• Size: Medium

• Color: Varied green rinds, orange flesh

• Shape: Round to oval

• Taste Notes: Complex, sweet and aromatic

• Used For: Fresh Eating

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: Cucumis melo – Hybrid

• Fun Fact: An experimental cross showcasing exceptional sweetness and flavor diversity.

Huerfano Bliss Honeydew

• Size: Medium

• Color: Smooth pale green rind, light green flesh

• Shape: Round

• Taste Notes: Juicy, sweet

• Used For: Fresh Eating

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: Cucumis melo – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Bred for high altitudes and cooler climates in Huerfano County, Colorado.

Blacktail Mountain

• Size: Small-Medium

• Color: Dark green rind, bright red flesh

• Shape: Round

• Taste Notes: Intensely sweet

• Used For: Fresh Eating

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: Citrullus lanatus – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Bred by Glenn Drowns as a short-season watermelon perfect for northern growers.

Montreal Market

• Size: Large

• Color: Ribbed green rind, orange flesh

• Shape: Flattened-round

• Taste Notes: Rich, spicy-sweet

• Used For: Fresh Eating

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: Cucumis melo – Open Pollinated

• Fun Fact: Historic heirloom melon once famous at Montreal markets in the late 1800s.

South Wind

• Size: Medium

• Color: Netted tan rind, salmon-orange flesh

• Shape: Round

• Taste Notes: Sweet, smooth

• Used For: Fresh Eating

• Growth Habit: Vining

• Seed Saving: Cucumis melo – Hybrid

• Fun Fact: Bred for reliable yields and flavor in variable summer conditions.

Seed Saving: Handle With Care

Saving seeds from this family can be straightforward — if you're only growing one variety of each species (C. pepo, C. maxima, C. moschata, C. melo, etc.).But beware: squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, gourds, and melons love to cross-pollinate, even between species! 🚫🌾

If your garden—or your neighborhood—is a curcurbit festival, saved seeds could grow into wild, unpredictable \"franken-fruit.\"For pure seed saving, plan on isolation or hand-pollination. Otherwise, treat saved seeds like a surprise party! 🥳

From Garden to Table: A Love Story

Squash and their kin aren't just garden heavyweights—they're culinary MVPs. Imagine turning your harvest into crispy zucchini fritters, roasted butternut squash soups, stuffed mini pumpkins, or sweet, sink-dripping melons.

Pro Tips for Preserving:

• Freeze shredded summer squash for muffins and breads.

• Cure and store winter squash in cool, dry spots to last through winter.

• Roast and puree winter squash for soups, pies, and fillings.

• Pickle cucumbers or whip up quick fridge pickles.

• Dry gourds fully for beautiful, long-lasting crafts.

Need help picking varieties or trellising your vines for maximum garden sprawl (on purpose)?Stop by Wiggle Worm Gardens—we’re here to help you grow a little wild! 🌿🍒🍲

Key Takeaways

• Learn to grow squash family crops successfully in mountain climates

• Understand seed saving tips for cucurbits to avoid cross-pollination

• Find out which varieties thrive at elevation and need preordering

• Get expert advice on planting, trellising, and preserving your harvest

• Explore fun, funky, and heirloom squash and melon options