Delta Hybrid Squash Seeds

Days to Maturity: 49 from direct sow

Delta is a semi-crookneck summer squash that gets right down to business, offering HUGE yields in no time flat. You will love the flavor and texture of these delicious yellow squash, and you'll really appreciate the space-saving bush habit and strong stems that make harvesting easier than ever.

For our money, Delta is simply better in every way than most other crooknecks. The fruit is very uniform in size, smooth-skinned and bright yellow, with succulent creamy flesh that offers a good flavorful bite without sacrificing texture. It finishes fast and it looks as good as it tastes. Most of all, it produces like crazy.

There are several reasons for this plant's great output. One is its high resistance to powdery mildew, which means you can get a big healthy crop even in humid climates. Another is the bush habit of the plant, saving you space in the vegetable garden and keeping the harvest out of the dirt. And a final reason is the exceptionally strong stems on these fruit, which enable you to harvest them with one good twist. Fewer fruit losses from broken necks and jagged stems.

Delta is a terrific choice for anyone who is serious about growing crooknecks. It's so easy that even a beginning gardener can be successful, and it's tirelessly prolific. Get your bushel baskets ready for this one.

Summer squash ripens during the hot summer months and, thin-skinned, is best eaten fresh. Sow seeds 1 inch deep directly into the garden after the danger of frost is past. Thin the seedlings to 24 inches apart, or plant several seeds in hills 4 feet apart and then thin to 2 plants per hill. (For even earlier harvests, start seeds indoors.) Pick when the fruits are still small (5 to 6 inches long).