Two Halloweens ago I was invited to a party that required everyone to participate in a jack-'o-lantern contest. My carving abilities are mediocre at best, so I had to think up something that would at least place me in this contest (yes, I am competitive). A few days before the party I went to Holiday Farm's farmstand on Route 9 in Dalton, Massachusetts, which was overflowing with squash and gourds but not so many pumpkins — they only carried sugar pumpkins for cooking.
I was about to leave empty-handed when this big orange squash with a unique shape caught my eye. I thought "The odd-shaped top of that squash will make for a conehead-like effect on my jack-'o-lantern. Perfect!" I picked up the heavy squash and brought it to the woman working at the farmstand to pay for it.
Full-grown Boston Marrow Squash.
Photo courtesy of http://www.johnsonsbackyardgarden.com/
The woman excitedly began telling me that it was a delicious and rare heirloom variety, and then she asked what was I planning to use it for. She was appalled by my response.
If I recall correctly, she was a student in agricultural school doing an internship with Holiday Farm, and she was very proud of her produce. She certainly never intended her squash to be used as a Halloween prop or to be carved to bits and not eaten!
She managed to regain her composure, and she asked whether I gardened. I told her that I had just grown a few things in containers that past summer, but that I intended to start a small garden the following season. Her excitement returned, and she recommended that I save these seeds — after all, they were rare heirloom Boston Marrows.
I took her advice and tediously picked, rinsed, dried, and enveloped hundreds of seeds. Only to forget about them when I did start my garden last year.
Three weeks ago, I began starting some seeds indoors for my expanding garden this year. And I remembered that I had these squash seeds. I don't really think squash are supposed to be started inside, but I wasn't sure if these seeds would work. I've never saved seeds before and didn't read up on the proper method before I did it. They had been in a drawer in the kitchen for a year and a half. Despite the odds against their success, I decided to give them a try, and I planted nine of them in small containers. I then placed them under grow lights in the basement.
They worked! As a matter-of-fact, they surpassed (in growth) all of the other seeds that I started that day (peas, basil, parsley, and sage).
All of the seedlings under the fluorescent lights in my basement.
Notice how the Boston Marrow (front right) towers over the others.
I was about to leave empty-handed when this big orange squash with a unique shape caught my eye. I thought "The odd-shaped top of that squash will make for a conehead-like effect on my jack-'o-lantern. Perfect!" I picked up the heavy squash and brought it to the woman working at the farmstand to pay for it.

Photo courtesy of http://www.johnsonsbackyardgarden.com/
The woman excitedly began telling me that it was a delicious and rare heirloom variety, and then she asked what was I planning to use it for. She was appalled by my response.
If I recall correctly, she was a student in agricultural school doing an internship with Holiday Farm, and she was very proud of her produce. She certainly never intended her squash to be used as a Halloween prop or to be carved to bits and not eaten!
She managed to regain her composure, and she asked whether I gardened. I told her that I had just grown a few things in containers that past summer, but that I intended to start a small garden the following season. Her excitement returned, and she recommended that I save these seeds — after all, they were rare heirloom Boston Marrows.
I took her advice and tediously picked, rinsed, dried, and enveloped hundreds of seeds. Only to forget about them when I did start my garden last year.
Three weeks ago, I began starting some seeds indoors for my expanding garden this year. And I remembered that I had these squash seeds. I don't really think squash are supposed to be started inside, but I wasn't sure if these seeds would work. I've never saved seeds before and didn't read up on the proper method before I did it. They had been in a drawer in the kitchen for a year and a half. Despite the odds against their success, I decided to give them a try, and I planted nine of them in small containers. I then placed them under grow lights in the basement.
They worked! As a matter-of-fact, they surpassed (in growth) all of the other seeds that I started that day (peas, basil, parsley, and sage).
Notice how the Boston Marrow (front right) towers over the others.
I am looking forward to transplanting them into the garden. I think I may start a few from seed in the ground too. I'm very excited and hope that I can harvest plenty of them. From what I have read, they make a better "pumpkin" pie that actual pumpkins do. Look out family, we're going to have some tasty dessert this Thanksgiving!
Oh, and to all my friends, family, and co-workers who garden — I have plenty more of these seeds. If you want some, I'll be happy to share.
In case you were wondering, I tied for third place in the jack-'o-lantern contest. This was all due to my Boston Marrow. I won for originality, not my carving talent.
— Kristy L. Rustay, Marketing Manager
In case you were wondering, I tied for third place in the jack-'o-lantern contest. This was all due to my Boston Marrow. I won for originality, not my carving talent.
— Kristy L. Rustay, Marketing Manager
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