Carnival Squash

Carnival Squash is a delightful, vibrant variety that adds a splash of color to your garden with its bright orange, green, and yellow stripes. The flesh is a sweet, nutty flavoured, pale orange that is excellent for roasting or baking. The fruit's sweet, nutty flavor makes it a versatile choice for roasting, baking, or stuffing. Known for its dense, creamy texture. The medium sized trailing vines produce numerous fruits of about 1 pound, which stores well into spring. This compact plant grows to about 2 feet tall and grows marbled squash that are perfect for decorative purposes. Carnival Squash is packed with vitamins and nutrients, making it both a delicious and healthy addition to any meal. Its compact size makes it friendly for small gardens or container gardening, while its striking colors make it an eye-catching addition to fall decor. With its easy growth and hearty yield, this squash variety is sure to bring joy to your garden and kitchen alike.

Also Known As: Festival Squash, Sweet Potato Squash, Celebration Squash, Sweet Dumpling Squash, Marble Squash, Autumn Cup Squash, Tri-Color Acorn Squash, Mixed Color Squash, Petite Pumpkin, Gourmet Squash, Squash, Jewel Squash, Rainbow Squash.

Plant Name:	Winter Squash, Festival F1
Latin Name:	Curcubita pepo
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Days to Harvest:	91
Plant Height:	5 - 8 Feet
Spread:	3 - 5 Feet
Growth Habit:	Vining
USDA Zones:	3-9
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Squash grows best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 4 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Plant Carnival squash in the spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil begins to warm. If fall planting, plant 8-10 weeks before the average first date in your area. Planting early ensures squash will mature before the first killing frost. To plant, make holes 1 inch deep and spaced 2-3 feet apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 1-3 seeds per hole, planting 2-3 seeds if choosing to thin to the strongest plant. When thinning, wait until seedlings grow 1-2 sets of leaves before determining the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	2-3 feet	Between-Row Spacing:	4-6 feet

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants enough to keep them from wilting. If the weather is really dry, water squash plants at least once a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping squash plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeply to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: When blooms first appear, you may optionally apply a dressing of fertilizer, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Read and follow fertilizer instructions for best application. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Carnival squash is typically ready for harvest when the skin has turned vibrant in color and is firm to the touch, around 80-100 days after planting. To harvest, use a sharp knife or pruners to cut the squash from the vine, leaving about 2-3 inches of stem attached to extend storage life. Harvesting should be done before the first frost, as frost can damage the fruit and reduce its quality. Handle the squash carefully to avoid bruising or breaking the skin, and allow them to cure in a warm, dry place for 7-10 days if you intend to store them for longer periods.