Description
Marina di Chioggia Squash Seeds (Winter Type) 2270.
Famous Italian Heirloom “Sea Pumpkin” Featuring Bumpy Grey-Green Rinds and Exceptional Sweet Flesh.
Marina di Chioggia Winter Squash (Cucurbita maxima), often known as the “Sea Pumpkin,” is a world-renowned open-pollinated heirloom originating from the fishing village of Chioggia near Venice, Italy. Producing large, turban-shaped fruits weighing 4.5 kg on average, this variety is famous for its deeply warty, blistered grey-green rind. Beneath its unique exterior lies brilliant yellow-orange, dry-textured flesh with a rich, sweet, chestnut-like flavour. It is an absolute favourite for culinary use—excelling when baked, roasted, pureed into soups, blended into gnocchi à la parisienne, or baked into autumn pies. When properly cured, these heavy-skinned squashes boast legendary keeping quality, storing for extended periods.
Quick Seed Details
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Product Code: 2270
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Botanical Name: Cucurbita maxima ‘Marina di Chioggia’
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Type: Open-Pollinated Heirloom Winter Squash
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Fruit Weight: Approx. 4.5 kg
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Plant Spacing: Space hills 2.4 m apart
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Light Requirement: Full Sun
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Soil Preference: Deep, rich, organic, well-draining soil (pH 5.5–6.5)
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Germination: 7–10 days in warm soil
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Seed Depth: 2.5 cm deep
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Seed Count: Approx. 12 seeds per packet (3 seeds per gram)
What you need to know to Plant & Grow
Squash are heat-loving crops that thrive in full sun with organic-rich soil and careful transplanting to protect sensitive roots.
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Direct Sowing (Recommended): Direct sow seeds outdoors from late May to mid-June once soil temperatures have warmed thoroughly. Plant seeds 2.5 cm deep in hills spaced 2.4 m apart, placing 4 to 6 seeds per hill. Thin to the 3 strongest seedlings per hill after emergence.
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Indoor Starting: In shorter-season regions, start seeds indoors 3 weeks before outdoor planting. Sow directly into paper, fibre, or peat pots to avoid root disturbance during transplanting.
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Soil Preparation & Care: Work generous amounts of rich compost or well-rotted manure into garden beds prior to planting. Maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the growing season.
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Harvesting & Storage: Harvest mature squash before the first hard autumn frost when the rind turns a dull grey-green and hardens. Cut from the vine leaving a short stem section attached. Allow to cure in a warm, dry location to enhance sweetness and secure long-term storage potential.
Why Marina di Chioggia Squash Seeds belong in Your Garden
If you are looking for an extraordinary Italian heirloom that offers breathtaking rustic beauty and unmatched gourmet flavour, Marina di Chioggia is an essential choice. Its rich culinary versatility, striking blistered rind, and incredible shelf life make it a prized crop for Canadian home gardeners and artisan growers.
