Shishigatani Squash Seeds, Rare Kyoto Heirloom

susceptible to squash vine borers than many other squash, but damage is still possible. Growing conditions and care matter. Why species predicts survival here. 🛡️ Vine borer resistance , the solid stems of Cucurbita moschata can offer some resistance to squash vine borers, but plants still need monitoring for damage. 🌱 Free shipping on seed-only website orders $30+ , ships from Newton, Kansas. ✅ Germination Promise: if your seeds fail to germinate under proper growing conditions, contact us within one year and we will replace them or refund your purchase. See the details . 📖 Read our complete growing guide for this variety → A Temple Vegetable from the Streets of Kyoto Since the early 1800s, Shishigatani has been one of the official kyo yasai , the traditional vegetables of the Kyoto region, a short list of heirlooms so tied to Japanese culture that the regional government formally protects them. Buddhist priests have grown this squash in temple gardens and cooked it in shojin ryori , the austere, vegetable-centered cuisine of Zen monasteries, for generations. It is one of the oldest continuously cultivated vegetables in Japanese history. And almost nobody in the American seed market carries it. What Makes It Different Shishigatani is unmistakable. The deeply ribbed and warted skin starts green and slowly turns a warm tan-brown as it ripens, developing a texture that looks almost ancient. At 110 to 120 days it has one of the longer maturity windows in our catalog, but patience pays off. The flesh inside is a delicate pale yellow, completely different from the orange of most winter squash, with a fine-grained, dry texture and a mild, clean sweetness that disappears entirely in soups and braises. It holds its shape exceptionally well when cooked, which is why Buddhist temple cooks have used it for centuries in dishes where the vegetable needs to carry the meal without falling apart. It is not a loud vegetable. It is a precise one. Why It Grows Well Here Shishigatani is Cucurbita moschata, the same species as Seminole, Thai Kang Kob, and Waltham Butternut. That matters for Kansas and Midwest gardeners because moschata varieties carry natural resistance to the squash vine borer, the pest that kills most backyard squash before it produces anything worth harvesting. You do not need to spray. You do not need row covers. The plant handles it. Plant after last frost when soil is warm. Give it room to run or train it up a trellis. Water deeply and step back. At 110 to 120 days it is one of the slower maturing squash in the garden, so plan your start date accordingly for your region. Growing Notes Species: Cucurbita moschata Days to maturity: 110 to 120 days Flesh: Pale yellow, fine-grained, dry texture Skin: Deeply ribbed and warted, turns tan-brown at maturity Vine borer resistance: Yes, naturally, as C. moschata Seed saving: Open-pollinated, non-GMO. Save seed from your best fruit and replant every year. Plant after: Last frost, soil temperature 60 degrees or above Spacing: 4 to 6 feet between plants, or train vertically on a trellis Use: Soups, braises, tempura, shojin ryori, roasted whole In the Kitchen The pale yellow flesh and dry texture make Shishigatani better suited for some preparations than the denser orange moschata varieties. It absorbs broth and seasoning beautifully without going mushy, which makes it exceptional in slow-cooked soups and Japanese-style simmered dishes. Cut into large pieces, simmered in dashi with a little soy sauce and mirin, and it becomes something genuinely extraordinary. It also roasts well whole, and because the flesh is drier than most squash, it holds together cleanly when sliced. If you have never cooked with a pale-fleshed squash before, the flavor is milder and more delicate than orange-fleshed varieties. It pairs well with subtle broths and seasoning rather than aggressive spice. Ships from Newton, Kansas. Open-pollinated, non-GMO. A legitimate piece of culinary history you can grow in your own backyard. 📖 Complete Shishigatani Growing Guide , planting tips, harvest timing, and kitchen uses for Kansas Zone 6b gardens. 🌱 Browse all vine borer resistant varieties → 🌻 See our Kansas growing guide → Will it ripen before frost? Shishigatani Squash needs 110 to 120 days from sowing. In a typical Newton, Kansas Zone 6b season the first fall frost arrives between October 10 and 20, so direct sow by about June 3 to finish with a two week cushion. Planting later, or gardening in a different zone? Check your own planting window .