Cucurbita pepo Lemon Squash – Productive, Citrus-colored Summer Squash

Cucurbita pepo Lemon Squash is a unique and tasty summer squash that's a real eye-catcher in both the kitchen and the garden. The light yellow, lemon-shaped fruits are instantly noticeable due to their unique shape and color. This variety is highly productive, making it ideal for both amateur gardeners and professional growers who want a continuous harvest of fresh squash.

Key Features

Lemon squash is light yellow when young and turns dark yellow when fully ripe. The fruits are lemon-shaped, which distinguishes them from the classic round or oblong zucchini. Its fine, delicate flavor makes this summer squash particularly suitable for fresh dishes such as sautés, stir-fries, salads, and grilled dishes.

Thanks to their bushy growth, the plants are compact and easy to manage, even in smaller gardens or on balconies. Lemon squash produces many fruits per plant, so you can expect a continuous harvest throughout the growing season.

Maturation and yield

The ripening time is 55–85 days, depending on growing conditions. This makes lemon squash a fast and reliable summer squash that can be harvested early in the season and continuously produces new fruits. To optimally preserve flavor and texture, harvest the fruits regularly when they are young and tender, as they will turn a darker yellow and may be slightly more fibrous when fully ripe.

Cultivation advice

Lemon squash grows best in warm, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. For an optimal start, seeds can be pre-sown starting in late April or sown directly starting in early May.

Optimal germination occurs at 24–30°C. When sowing, it's advisable to hold the pointed end of the seed downward or lay it flat, and avoid keeping the seed too moist. After germination, the seedlings can be moved to a brighter, cooler location to develop strong, healthy plants.

Growth behavior and planting distance

Lemon squash grows as a bush, meaning the plants require little space. Typically, 1 square meter per plant is sufficient, making this variety suitable for small gardens, vegetable beds, or raised beds. Its compact growth makes it easy to maintain, while maintaining high fruit production per plant.

Culinary applications

Lemon Squash is extremely versatile in the kitchen:

• Stir-fries: Slice thinly for quick, light dishes.

• Grilled or fried: the delicate flavour comes into its own when briefly fried or grilled.

• Salads: Young harvested Lemon Squash can be used raw.

• Stuffed or steamed: suitable for filling with grains, vegetables or cheese for a tasty main course.

The light, delicate flesh is soft and tender, making Lemon Squash a favorite variety for families and foodies who love fresh, flavorful summer vegetables.