What hardiness zones is Cucurbita maxima 'Blue Hubbard' suitable for?

Cucurbita maxima 'Blue Hubbard' is an annual vine reaching 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall with a spread of 10-15 feet (3-4.5 m) and a vigorous, trailing, vining habit. An American heirloom winter squash from the mid-1800s (the Hubbard squash family originated in the 1840s via Mrs. Elizabeth Hubbard of Marblehead, Massachusetts), it produces very large, teardrop-shaped fruits 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) long weighing 12-20 pounds (5.4-9 kg) with a hard, bumpy, blue-grey rind and thick, golden-orange, dense, dry, sweet flesh. The extremely hard rind requires a heavy knife or cleaver to open. Days to maturity 100-120 from transplant. Growth rate is fast once established. Stores 4-6 months in a cool, dry location. Among the largest and longest-storing winter squashes. Requires substantial garden space.

Native Range

Cucurbita maxima originated in South America—Andes region (Peru, Bolivia, Argentina). 'Blue Hubbard' was developed from the Hubbard squash line originating with Mrs. Elizabeth Hubbard, Marblehead, MA, 1840s.

Suggested Uses

Grown in large vegetable gardens for culinary use—roasting, soups, pies, puréeing. Thick golden-orange dense sweet flesh. Very hard rind—needs heavy knife. 12-20 lb. Stores 4-6 months—longest-storing squash. Marblehead MA heirloom 1840s. Requires 10-15 ft vine spread. Not suitable for small gardens or containers. 100-120 days—long season.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Buttercup' by the much larger size (12-20 versus 3-5 lb), the blue-grey (versus dark green) rind, the teardrop (versus turban) shape, and the longer vines (10-15 versus 6-10 ft). Distinguished from 'Waltham Butternut' (C. moschata) by the round/teardrop (versus bell/cylindrical) shape, the blue-grey bumpy (versus smooth tan) rind, and the C. maxima (versus C. moschata) species. Blue Hubbard—largest, blue-grey bumpy, teardrop, 4-6 month storage, hard rind needs cleaver, Marblehead MA 1840s.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread10' - 15'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer

Large yellow-orange flowers—male first, then female with miniature fruit at base. Bee pollination essential. Each vine produces 2-4 large fruits.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow-orange; large; male and female separate; bee-pollinated

Foliage Description

Dark green; large rounded; on vigorous trailing vines

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 8-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

100-120 days from transplant

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Start seed indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, or direct sow after soil warms to 70°F (21°C). Full sun, well-drained, fertile soil (pH 6.0-7.0). Hills with composted manure. Heavy feeder—side-dress when vines begin to run. Days to maturity 100-120 from transplant. Requires 10-15 feet of vine spread. Harvest when rind is hard and cannot be dented with a fingernail. Cure in warm dry location 1-2 weeks before storage. Stores 4-6 months at 50-55°F (10-13°C).