Post a crop report — day counts, reservoir readings, what worked. Variety-specific logs are the most useful thing on the forum.

Casper — Squash | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Casper
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

95days to harvest

7-14days to germinate

Z3–11USDA zones

Moderatedifficulty

HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant after soil temperature reaches 65°F and nights stay above 50°F.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: High — consistent moisture needed
Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter
Soil pH: 6.0-7.0
Spacing: 18-24 inches
Height: 1-3 feet
Season: Warm season annual

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Pure white to cream
Size: 24"
Shape: Elongated oval, slightly tapered
Flavour: Exceptionally mild and sweet with creamy, non-bitter flesh

In the kitchen

Stunning in ratatouille, grilling, roasting, stuffing, creates beautiful contrast in mixed dishes

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Flea beetles, Colorado potato beetle, aphids, hornworms
Diseases: Verticillium wilt, fusarium wilt, bacterial spot, phomopsis blight
Resistance: Powdery Mildew (Intermediate); Watermelon Mosaic Virus (Intermediate)

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
2	—	—	June – August	October – September
3	April	June – July	—	September – October
4	March – April	June	—	September – October
5	March	May – June	—	September – October
6	March	May – June	—	August – October
7	February – March	April – May	—	August – October
8	February	April – May	—	July – September
9	January	March – April	—	June – August
10	January	February – March	—	June – August
11	—	—	January – March	May – July
12	—	—	January – March	May – July
13	—	—	January – March	May – July

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids, spider mites, and thrips while potentially improving eggplant flavor

TomatoesSimilar growing requirements and can share support structures, both nightshades with compatible needs

PeppersFellow nightshades with similar soil and water requirements, can deter some common pests

MarigoldsRepel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting beneficial predatory insects

NasturtiumsAct as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away from eggplant

CatnipRepels flea beetles, aphids, and ants that commonly attack eggplant

Hot PeppersNatural pest deterrent that repels many insects harmful to eggplant

OreganoRepels aphids and provides ground cover while improving soil health

Avoid

Black WalnutProduces juglone toxin that inhibits nightshade family growth and can kill eggplant

FennelAllelopathic properties inhibit growth of most vegetables including eggplant

CornCompetes for nutrients and can harbor corn earworms that also attack eggplant

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 25
Protein (g): 0.98
Fat (g): 0.18
Carbohydrate (g): 5.88
Fibre (g): 3
Sugars (g): 3.53
Vitamin A (µg): 1
Vitamin C (mg): 2.2
Vitamin E (mg): 0.3
Vitamin K (µg): 3.5
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.084
Folate (µg): 22
Calcium (mg): 9
Iron (mg): 0.23
Magnesium (mg): 14
Phosphorus (mg): 24
Potassium (mg): 229
Zinc (mg): 0.16
Selenium (µg): 0.3

← PreviousPatio Baby Next →Millionaire

Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the squash growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Casper

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Casper?

Similar varieties