Winter Squash Seeds - Long Island Cheese
Best heirloom squash for bakers seeking superior pie-making flavor.
Discover the Long Island Cheese Winter Squash, a treasured heirloom variety renowned for its exceptional pie-making quality. This squash earns its name from its Northeast origin and its resemblance to a wheel of cheese, yielding 6-10 lb fruits with a fine buff rind and light ribbing. Its flavor is so superior it's recognized on the Slow Foods Ark of Taste, and it stores well for later use. Each packet provides a minimum of 15 seeds, perfect for annual cultivation in full sun. Plant after the last frost, allowing about 100 days until harvest.
$4.75
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
3177
/ 6090
#3177 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-55%
Below average
Botanical Name
Cucurbita moschata
/ Cucurbita moschata
Who it's for
- Home growers looking for vigorous and dependable heirloom harvests
- Bakers seeking superior flavor for traditional holiday pies
- Gardeners wanting long-lasting produce for winter pantry storage
Who should skip it
- Urban gardeners with limited space or small containers
- Northern growers living in regions with short summer seasons
- Gardeners preferring low-maintenance crops without pest management needs
Performance breakdown
Culinary Versatility
Renowned heirloom status makes this the gold standard for homemade pies.
Storage Longevity
Exceptional shelf life allows for fresh squash well into winter months.
Germination Reliability
Standard heirloom vigor ensures consistent sprouting within ten days.
Garden Utility
Active pollinator attraction provides a significant boost to surrounding garden health.
Growth Predictability
Clear hundred-day harvest window simplifies seasonal planning for home growers.
Space Efficiency
Large mature spacing requirements demand significant room for healthy vine development.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Cucurbita moschata
Seed Trait
Heirloom
Minimum Seeds per Packet
15
Packet Weight
3g
Planting Season
After Last Frost
Sowing Method
Direct Seed or Transplant
Seed Depth
1/2"
Direct Seed Spacing
6"
Features
- Heirloom variety prized for pie making
- Exceptional flavor recognized by Slow Foods Ark
- Fruits weigh between 6 to 10 pounds
- Good keeper for extended storage
- Attracts beneficial pollinators
- Suitable for direct seeding or transplanting
- Annual life cycle for yearly planting
What customers say
Customers highly praise the 'Long Island Cheese' winter squash seeds for their exceptional reliability and outstanding culinary results. The germination rate is consistently reported as near perfect, building immediate gardener satisfaction. Plants exhibit vigorous growth and strong yields. The resulting squash is celebrated for its classic appearance and superior internal qualities: dense, sweet flesh ideal for baking and storage. Reviewers note this heritage variety surpasses modern hybrids in texture and flavor, making it perfect for holiday cooking. The ease of saving seeds adds long-term value. Overall, these seeds deliver high quality, authentic flavor, and excellent garden performance, earning strong recommendations from both new and experienced growers.
Know before you buy
The name comes from its distinct appearance, which resembles a flattened wheel of cheese. It features a buff-colored rind with light ribbing, characteristic of this classic heirloom variety.
You can expect to harvest these squash approximately 100 days after planting. Be sure to plant them after the last frost, as they are frost-sensitive.
Both methods work well. You can direct seed them into the garden once the soil has warmed to 65-85°F, or start them indoors as transplants to get a head start on the season.
Once established, each plant should be spaced 24 to 36 inches apart. This ensures adequate airflow and room for the vines to spread and produce their 6-10 lb fruits.
Yes, the Long Island Cheese squash is known for being an excellent keeper. When stored in a cool, dry place, these fruits will hold their quality well into the winter months.
It is highly prized for its exceptional flavor and texture, earning it a spot on the Slow Foods Ark of Taste. Its dense, sweet flesh is widely considered the gold standard for homemade pies.
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