Product Details
Any plant christened 'Smooth Criminal' must be guilty of stealing affections, and that’s certainly what happened during our staff trials. This unique, space-saving summer squash produces a bounty of tender, delicious, thin-skinned fruits on a single upright, nearly spineless main stem. The lack of scratchy spines makes harvesting easy. For best flavor and texture, harvest the squashes when they reach roughly 6” long. To help the plant carry its load and remain upright, we recommend use of a cage for support.
For information on growing Squash, click Growing Guide.
Shipping
HOW PLANTS ARE SHIPPED
The size of the plants we ship has been selected to reduce the shock of transplanting. For some, this means a large, bareroot crown. Others cannot travel bareroot or transplant best if grown in containers. We ship these perennials and annuals in 1 pint pots, except as noted. We must point out that many perennials will not bloom the first year after planting, but will the following year, amply rewarding your patience. We ship bulbs as dormant, bare bulbs, sometimes with some wood shavings or moss. Shrubs, Roses, vines, and other woody plants may be shipped bareroot or in pots. The size of the pot is noted in the quick facts for each item.
WHEN WE SHIP
We ship our bulbs and plants at the right time for planting in your area, except as noted, with orders dispatched on a first-come, first-served basis by climate zone. We also ship a wide range of containers and planters, tools, supplies, fertilizers, garden wear, garden decor items, as well as indoor decorations like wreaths and dried bouquets when available. Estimated dates for shipping are indicated in the green Shipping Details box for each item. Please supply a street address for delivery. Kindly contact us with two weeks notice, if you'll be away at the expected time of delivery.
OUR GUARANTEE
We guarantee to ship plants that are in prime condition for growing. If your order is damaged or fails to meet your expectations, we will cheerfully replace or refund it. Please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-503-9624 or email us at [email protected]. Please include your order number or customer number when contacting us.
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Growing guide
When the weather is warm and settled, choose a planting location in full sun with rich, fertile soil and good drainage. To reduce soil-borne diseases, plant Squash, Pumpkins, Watermelon, and Cantaloupe where you haven't grown them in the past 3 years.
Continuing Care
If rain is scarce, water your plants deeply and regularly (weekly, or more often in hot, dry weather).
Mulch plants to keep them evenly moist and weed free. Side-dress with compost or 5-10-10 fertilizer when the plants are about 6in tall and again when they start to bloom.
As fruits begin to form on the plants, thin them to two fruits per vine.
Harvesting
Harvest the fruit of Summer Squash and Zucchini while they are still small (6-8" long) and tender by cutting, not pulling, the fruit from your plants. Harvest Winter Squash before the first frost, also by cutting, leaving a couple inches of the stem attached. Then cure its fruit in a warm, well-ventilated location for 7-14 days before storing.
Harvest Cantaloupe when fruit breaks away easily from the vine.
Harvest Watermelon when the tendrils on the stem near the melon are brown and dry.
Harvest Pumpkins before frost, when at least half of the fruit has good orange color. Leave 4-5" of stem attached.
Store Winter Squash and Pumpkins at 50-70°F out of direct sun.