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Squash · Cucurbita pepo 'Costata Romanesco'

Zucchini Costata Romanesco

Zucchini Costata Romanesco: 50-60 days to harvest, 7-10 days to germinate, 36-48 inches between plants, pH 6.0-7.0, hardy in zones 3-11. Fruit runs to about 6-8 inches long when harvested young. Give it full sun (6+ hours) and 1-2 inches per week, deep but infrequent watering water.

Squash
50-60days to harvest
7-10days to germinate
Z3–11USDA zones
Easydifficulty
Heirloom

Sowing

Direct sow after soil reaches 65°F, or start indoors 2-3 weeks before last frost. Plant seeds 1 inch deep.

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun (6+ hours)
Water
1-2 inches per week, deep but infrequent watering
Soil
Rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Spacing
36-48 inches
Height
1-3 feet
Season
Warm season

Appearance & flavour

Colour
Light green with dark green ribs and stripes
Size
6-8 inches long when harvested young
Shape
Cylindrical with prominent vertical ribs
Flavour
Sweet, nutty, and tender with excellent texture

In the kitchen

Grilling, sautéing, stuffing, baking, raw in salads. Flowers are excellent stuffed and fried.

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Squash bugs, cucumber beetles, squash vine borers
Diseases
Powdery mildew, downy mildew, bacterial wilt
Resistance
Moderate resistance to common squash diseases

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
1——July – AugustSeptember – August
2——June – AugustSeptember
3——June – JulyAugust – October
4——June – JulyAugust – October
5——May – JuneAugust – September
6——May – JuneJuly – September
7——April – JuneJuly – August
8——April – MayJune – August
9——March – AprilMay – July
10——February – AprilMay – June
11——January – MarchApril – May
12——January – MarchApril – May
13——January – MarchApril – May

Companion planting

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

NasturtiumsActs as trap crop for squash bugs and cucumber beetles, repels aphids
MarigoldsDeters squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and nematodes with strong scent
RadishesRepels squash vine borers and cucumber beetles, breaks up soil
BeansFixes nitrogen in soil for heavy-feeding zucchini, compact growth fits under leaves
CatnipStrongly repels squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and ants
OreganoRepels aphids and provides general pest deterrence with aromatic oils
CornProvides vertical structure, part of traditional three sisters planting
GarlicDeters aphids, squash bugs, and fungal diseases with sulfur compounds

Avoid

CucumbersCompete for same nutrients and space, attract similar pests like cucumber beetles
PotatoesBoth are heavy feeders competing for nutrients, potatoes can harbor similar fungal diseases
PumpkinsCross-pollination concerns and competition for space and nutrients

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g)
21
Protein (g)
2.71
Fat (g)
0.4
Carbohydrate (g)
3.11
Fibre (g)
1.1
Vitamin A (µg)
25
Vitamin C (mg)
34.1
Vitamin B6 (mg)
0.142
Folate (µg)
20
Calcium (mg)
21
Iron (mg)
0.79
Magnesium (mg)
33
Phosphorus (mg)
93
Potassium (mg)
459
Zinc (mg)
0.83
Selenium (µg)
0.3
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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.

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Similar varieties

Other squash with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits Zucchini Costata Romanesco suits these too.

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