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Planting Instructions for Tatume Squash Seeds
- Location: Choose a sunny location with well-drained, fertile soil. Tatume squash performs well in hot climates and has vigorous vining growth.
- When to Plant: Sow Todd’s Seeds Tatume Squash Seeds directly outdoors after the last frost when soil temperatures are at least 65–70°F. For earlier harvests, start seeds indoors 2–4 weeks before the last frost and transplant carefully.
- Soil Prep: Loosen soil to a depth of 8–12 inches and amend with compost or aged manure. Ideal soil pH is 6.0–6.8.
- Sowing Depth: Plant seeds 1 inch deep.
- Spacing:
- Direct sowing: Space seeds 18–24 inches apart in rows 4–6 feet apart.
- Hill method: Sow 3–5 seeds per hill, spacing hills 3–4 feet apart. Thin to the 2 strongest plants per hill.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water deeply at the base of the plant to avoid wetting leaves and reduce disease risk.
- Support: Provide a trellis or large cage if vertical space is preferred—Tatume squash vines can reach 6+ feet.
- Care: Mulch to retain moisture and reduce weeds. Fertilize with a balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer once plants begin to flower.
- Harvest:
- Young (summer squash): Harvest when fruits are round and about the size of a baseball—tender and mild in flavor.
- Mature (winter squash): Allow fruit to fully ripen on the vine until the skin hardens and turns golden—store like winter squash.
Frequent harvesting promotes continued production.