Magdalena Big Cheese Seeds, Southwestern Desert Heirloom

thin-stemmed squash, but resistance does not mean immunity. Inspect stems and vines during borer season. Learn why species matters. Shipping before you order: Seed-only website orders of $30 or more qualify for free shipping. Shipping for smaller or mixed orders is calculated at checkout based on destination, weight, and product type. Review the available choices and destination-specific charges before payment. Shipping details . ✅ 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 → Magdalena Big Cheese is a Southwestern heirloom with a large, flat cheese-wheel shape. We offer 10-seed and 20-seed packets for gardeners who want to grow this uncommon variety. The fruit has a flat, cheese-wheel shape with buff-tan skin and deep ribs. The dense flesh suits pies and soups, and sound, properly cured fruit can be kept for storage. Garden performance varies with heat, soil, water, pollination, pest pressure, and season. As a Cucurbita moschata , Magdalena Big Cheese has dense stems that may improve tolerance to squash vine borer injury. Resistance does not mean immunity, and no variety guarantees a harvest. Inspect plants during borer season and use locally appropriate pest management. Variety Details Species: Cucurbita moschata . Heirloom, open-pollinated Origin: Sonoran Desert, northern Mexico (Magdalena de Kino region) Fruit size: Large flat cheese-wheel shape, 10–20+ lbs Skin: Buff-tan with deep ribbing Flesh: Dense, sweet, deep orange , excellent pie and storage squash Days to maturity: ~110 days Storage: 4–6+ months cured Vine borer resistance: High. Thick-stemmed moschata genetics Water: Keep moisture consistent during establishment and fruit set; adjust for rainfall, heat, soil drainage, and plant condition Packet options: Choose 10 seeds or 20 seeds for planting In the Kansas Garden Grow in full sun and well-drained soil, and give the spreading vines room. Plan 10 to 12 feet per plant. Direct sow after the soil reaches about 65°F, or start indoors 3 to 4 weeks before your last frost and transplant carefully. Mulch to conserve moisture, monitor plant condition during heat, and rotate cucurbits from year to year. Read the full growing guide for planting dates, spacing, and curing tips. Why Autumn Prairie Pumpkins We're a small Kansas seed operation that built its whole catalog around vine borer resistance . Every variety we sell is hand-selected, hand-packed, and shipped from Newton, Kansas. Strong soil builds strong plants, and the right variety makes the whole job easier. 🌱 Browse all vine borer resistant varieties → 🌻 See our Kansas growing guide → Untreated, open-pollinated heirloom seed. No fungicide coating. Save your own seed from your strongest fruit and grow it again next year. Will it ripen before frost? Magdalena Big Cheese needs about 110 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 13 to finish with a two week cushion. Planting later, or gardening in a different zone? Check your own planting window .