Cucurbita pepo Cream of the Crop – Cream-white acorn squash

Cucurbita pepo Cream of the Crop is a creamy-white acorn squash distinguished by its high productivity, robust growth, and attractive fruits. With an average weight of about 1 kg, this variety combines ornamental value with edibility, making it suitable for both gardeners and culinary enthusiasts. Cream of the Crop is an excellent choice for those looking to grow uniform, tasty, and easy-to-harvest pumpkins.

Striking fruits: creamy white and acorn-shaped

Cream of the Crop's fruits are creamy white, with a characteristic acorn shape that makes them perfect for autumn and Halloween decorations. The combination of compact shape, high yield, and aesthetic appeal makes this variety ideal for:

• Decorative applications: autumn tables, market stalls, seasonal arrangements

• Culinary applications: stuffed or roasted, thanks to the tasty flesh

• Commercial sale: uniform acorn squashes of approximately 1 kg

Acorn squashes are known for their high productivity and robust growth, and Cream of the Crop is no exception. The fruits are firm and keep well, making them ideal for long-term storage and sale.

Growth form and plant behaviour

Cream of the Crop is a high-yielding, robust variety, making it easy to manage, even with large numbers of plants. The variety has an acorn-shaped structure, which enhances the pumpkins' aesthetics and promotes uniformity.

Planting distance depends on the vine's growth pattern, but generally, acorn squash can be grown compactly with sufficient space for healthy air circulation. These characteristics make Cream of the Crop suitable for:

• Hobby gardens and smaller plots

• Commercial markets and sales

• Greenhouses and sheltered growing locations

Cultivation and sowing method

Cream of the Crop thrives in warm, well-drained soils and can be grown either by seed or direct sowing:

• Pre-cultivation from the end of April, followed by planting out after the last night frost

• Sow directly from early May, as soon as the soil has warmed up sufficiently

The optimal germination temperature is between 24–30°C. Sow the seeds with the pointed end down or flat and keep the soil slightly moist. After germination, the young plants should be placed in a brighter, cooler location to promote strong, healthy growth.

The ripening time is approximately 95 days, making Cream of the Crop an early harvest and suitable for autumn decoration and culinary applications.

Diseases and pests

Although Cream of the Crop is a robust variety, common pests and diseases of Cucurbita pepo can occur. Potential threats include:

• Snails

• Birds

• Mice

• Aphids

• Mildew

• Viruses

Sufficient planting distance, good air circulation and regular water management will keep Cream of the Crop healthy and productive.

Uses and applications

Thanks to its creamy white colour, acorn shape and compact growth, Cream of the Crop is versatile:

• Decorative uses: perfect for autumn tables, market stalls and Halloween decorations

• Culinary applications: easy to prepare, suitable for stuffing, roasting or in soups

• Hobby and commercial cultivation: high yield and uniform fruits make the variety suitable for both small and large crops

Cream of the Crop combines aesthetics, robustness and high productivity, making it an excellent choice for gardeners who want to combine ornamental value and culinary possibilities.