Trying to identify squash by their first leaves? Good luck! Squash seedlings emerge with two smooth, rounded, oval-shaped cotyledons (seed leaves) – and they all look identical across most varieties... so it's best to label them if you want to know what you're growing. Unless you have an exceptional memory, of course.
The Cucurbitaceae also called cucurbits or the gourd family, includes cucumbers, melons, squash, pumpkins, and are hard to tell apart until the fruits come in!
The true leaves of cucurbits appear roughly 7-10 days later after germination, and are easily distinguished from cotyledons by their jagged, deeply lobed, and often prickly texture, developing into complex, large shapes. Summer squash (like zucchini) tends to have more prickly, sharply lobed leaves, while winter squash often produces broader, rounded, hairy leaves. But truly, they are hard to tell apart, so label them if you want to know what's what before the fruits ripen.
Grow Cucurbit Seeds in your garden this year and experience the productive and wide variety of flavors they offer!
