Summer Squash Seeds, Zucchino Rampicante
Cut and whole Zucchino Rampicante Summer Squash on a terra-cotta pizza stone with Italian money.
A little smiles as she holds an armful of Zucchino Rampicante Summer Squash in a squash field.
Whole and sliced Zucchino Rampicante Summer Squash arranged on dark copper background.
Zucchino Rampicante Summer Squash in the mature winter squash phase.
Summer Squash Seeds, Zucchino Rampicante
Cut and whole Zucchino Rampicante Summer Squash on a terra-cotta pizza stone with Italian money.
A little smiles as she holds an armful of Zucchino Rampicante Summer Squash in a squash field.
Whole and sliced Zucchino Rampicante Summer Squash arranged on dark copper background.
Zucchino Rampicante Summer Squash in the mature winter squash phase.

Summer Squash Seeds,
Zucchino Rampicante

4.7236 ReviewsSKU: #SSQ103
Price
Regular price $3.50
Regular price $0.00 Sale price $3.50
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Min. 15 seeds

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Description

(Cucurbita moschata). The famous Italian heirloom vining zucchini and pumpkin; long slender 15-inch fruit has a fat bulb at the bottom. It is one of the best eating summer squash; very tender, mild, and sweet tasting. The flavor is superb! This squash is also great as winter squash. The Italians use it for stuffing in gnocchi and ravioli; the flesh is rich and flavorful, great for baking and pies! The vines produce good yields of this great all-purpose squash. The mature fruit grow very long. This one is in very high demand at specialty markets.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Cucurbita moschata
Life Cycle
Annual
Growth Habit
Vining
Sun Requirement
Full sun
Days to Germinate
7–14
Days to Maturity
60–70
Planting Depth
1 in.
Plant Spacing
36–60 in.
Ideal Temperature
75–95°F
Frost Hardy
No

Growing Guide

When to Grow

Direct sow Zucchino Rampicante seeds outdoors after the last frost when soil is at least 75°F. In shorter-season areas, start seeds indoors 3–4 weeks early and transplant once temperatures are warm. Because of its long growing season, early planting is key. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

How to Sow and Plant

Sow seeds 1 inch deep in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil in full sun. Space plants 36 to 60 inches apart or plant in hills spaced 4–6 feet apart. Trellising helps manage growth and improves airflow. If starting indoors, transplant after danger of frost and harden off seedlings gradually to prevent shock.

How to Grow

Water regularly at the base and mulch to retain moisture. Fertilize monthly with compost or balanced organic fertilizer. Train vines vertically or allow to sprawl in larger gardens. Harvest young fruits at 10–12 inches for tender summer squash or leave to mature into winter squash with hard skin. Monitor for squash vine borers and other pests.

How to Save Seeds

Note that there are four different species of squash: Cucurbita maxima, C. pepo, C. moschata, and C. mixta. They will not cross pollinate with each other, so it is possible to grow one of each species for seed saving without worrying about cross pollination. If you are planning to save seeds from several varieties of the same species, you can bag the blossoms and hand pollinate to avoid crossing.

  • Allow fruit to fully mature on the vine until the skin is hard and tan.
  • Harvest mature squash and cure in a warm, dry space for 3-4 weeks.
  • Cut open the fruit and scoop out seeds.
  • Rinse seeds to remove all pulp and residue.
  • Spread seeds out in a single layer to dry in a well-ventilated area for 2–3 weeks.
  • Store dried seeds in a labeled, airtight container in a cool, dry place.

FAQ

What is the difference between Zucchino Rampicante and regular zucchini?

Rampicante is a vining Cucurbita moschata with a longer growing season, dual use as summer or winter squash, and sweeter flavor. Regular zucchini is a bush-type C. pepo with quicker maturity.

Can Zucchino Rampicante be trellised?

Yes, and it benefits greatly from vertical growing. Trellising supports the long vines, improves air circulation, saves space, and helps produce straighter fruits with less ground contact.

When is the best time to harvest Zucchino Rampicante squash?

Harvest young fruits at 10–12 inches for tender, zucchini-like use, or leave them on the vine to mature into long, tan-skinned winter squash with sweet, dense flesh and good storage quality.

Browse our full range of summer squash seeds.

Customer reviews

4.7 / 5 236 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Nutty, mild flavor: Firm, nearly seedless flesh with a mild nutty taste.

  • Vines run 15-plus feet: Give it a tall trellis or plenty of ground to roam.

  • Shrugs off vine borers: Keeps producing where borers and virus kill other squash.

  • Heavy producer: Long curly fruit keep coming until frost.

  • Two crops in one: Pick young as zucchini or let it mature like a butternut.

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