If you’re looking to add a unique, tender, and flavorful squash to your garden, Ronde de Nice squash is an excellent choice. This French heirloom zucchini, known for its round shape, mottled green skin, and buttery texture, is a favorite among gardeners and chefs alike. Its versatility in the kitchen and relatively easy growing requirements make it a fantastic addition to any home garden. In this blog post, we’ll explore what makes Ronde de Nice squash special and provide a step-by-step guide to growing it successfully.
Origin: The parent seed of our Kids Seed Co. Ronde de Nice squash came from the garden of a friend who is a neighbor of the kids’ grandparents in Nice, France.
What is Ronde de Nice Squash?
Ronde de Nice is a round zucchini variety originating from the South of France. Unlike the elongated zucchinis you might be familiar with, this squash grows into small, softball-sized globes, typically 2–4 inches in diameter when harvested. Its skin is thin, tender, and speckled with light green and dark green patterns. The flesh is creamy, mild, and slightly nutty, making it perfect for grilling, stuffing, sautéing, or eating raw in salads.
This squash is often harvested young when the skin is still soft and the seeds are undeveloped, but it can also be left to mature for use as a winter squash. Its compact size and delicate flavor make it a standout in both garden beds and gourmet dishes.
Why Grow Ronde de Nice Squash?
• Unique Flavor and Texture: Its tender flesh and mild taste elevate dishes, from simple sautés to stuffed squash blossoms.
• Versatility: Use it in soups, stir-fries, or even as a low-carb pizza base when sliced into rounds.
• High Yield: Like most zucchini varieties, Ronde de Nice is prolific, producing plenty of fruit throughout the growing season.
• Heirloom Charm: Growing an heirloom variety like Ronde de Nice connects you to gardening traditions and preserves biodiversity.
How to Grow Ronde de Nice Squash
Here’s a detailed guide to growing Ronde de Nice squash in your garden, from seed to harvest.
1. Choose the Right Time and Location
Ronde de Nice squash thrives in warm weather and requires a long, frost-free growing season. Here’s how to get started:
• Timing: Sow seeds outdoors after the last frost date in your area, when soil temperatures reach at least 60°F (15°C). For most regions, this is late spring to early summer (May–June). You can start seeds indoors 2–3 weeks earlier to get a head start.
• Location: Select a sunny spot with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Squash plants love heat and need plenty of light to produce well.
• Soil: Choose well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Enrich the soil with compost or aged manure before planting to provide nutrients.
2. Planting the Seeds
Follow these steps:
• Direct Sowing: Plant seeds 1 inch deep in mounds or hills spaced 3–4 feet apart. Place 2–3 seeds per mound and thin to the strongest seedling after germination. The mounds improve drainage and warm the soil.
• Indoor Starting: If starting indoors, use biodegradable pots to avoid disturbing the roots during transplanting. Sow seeds 2–3 weeks before the last frost and transplant seedlings when they have 2–3 true leaves and the weather is warm.
• Spacing: Give each plant plenty of room to sprawl, as vines can spread 4–6 feet. If space is limited, consider growing them on a sturdy trellis to save ground space.
3. Care and Maintenance
Ronde de Nice squash is relatively low-maintenance but benefits from consistent care:
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply once or twice a week, aiming for 1–2 inches of water. Water at the base of the plant to prevent fungal issues on the leaves.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch, like straw or wood chips, around the plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the soil warm.
• Fertilizing: Feed plants with a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) or compost tea every 2–3 weeks during the growing season. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, as this can lead to lush foliage but fewer fruits.
• Pollination: Ronde de Nice squash relies on pollinators like bees to set fruit. Encourage pollinators by planting flowers nearby or hand-pollinate if you notice poor fruit set. To hand-pollinate, transfer pollen from male flowers (with thin stems) to female flowers (with a small bulb at the base) using a small brush or cotton swab.
4. Pest and Disease Management
Like other squash, Ronde de Nice can face challenges from pests and diseases. Stay vigilant and take preventive measures:
• Pests: Watch for squash bugs, vine borers, and cucumber beetles. Hand-pick pests, use row covers early in the season, or apply organic treatments like neem oil if infestations occur.
• Diseases: Powdery mildew and downy mildew are common in humid conditions. Ensure good air circulation by spacing plants properly and avoid overhead watering. If mildew appears, treat with a fungicide approved for edible crops.
• Crop Rotation: Rotate squash with unrelated crops (e.g., beans or lettuce) each year to prevent soil-borne diseases.
5. Harvesting Ronde de Nice Squash
The key to enjoying Ronde de Nice squash at its best is harvesting at the right time:
• When to Harvest: Pick squash when they’re 2–4 inches in diameter, typically 45–55 days after planting. At this stage, the skin is tender, and the flavor is delicate. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut the fruit from the vine, leaving a short stem attached.
• Mature Squash: If you want to use them as winter squash, leave the fruits on the vine until the skin hardens and turns a deeper green, about 60–70 days. Store mature squash in a cool, dry place for up to 2–3 months.
• Continuous Harvest: Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce more fruit. Check plants every 1–2 days during peak season.
Tips for Success
• Companion Planting: Grow Ronde de Nice squash alongside nasturtiums, marigolds, or radishes to deter pests and attract pollinators.
• Trellising: If growing vertically, use a strong trellis or sling to support the heavy fruits as they develop.
• Extend the Season: In cooler climates, use black plastic mulch to warm the soil or cloches to protect young plants from late frosts.
Culinary Inspiration
Once you’ve harvested your Ronde de Nice squash, try these ideas:
• Stuffed Squash: Hollow out the rounds, stuff with a mixture of rice, herbs, and cheese, and bake until tender.
• Grilled Rounds: Slice into thick discs, brush with olive oil, and grill for a smoky, caramelized flavor.
• Raw in Salads: Shave young squash into thin ribbons and toss with lemon juice, olive oil, and parmesan for a fresh summer salad.
• Soup: Blend cooked squash with garlic, onions, and cream for a velvety soup.
Final Thoughts
Ronde de Nice squash is a delightful heirloom that brings beauty, flavor, and productivity to the garden. With its easy-growing nature and culinary versatility, it’s a must-try for both novice and experienced gardeners. By providing sunny conditions, rich soil, and consistent care, you’ll be rewarded with a bountiful harvest of these tender, round zucchinis. So, grab some seeds from the link below, prepare your garden beds, and get ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor!
https://kidseedco.com/products/squash-ronde-de-nice?_pos=1&_sid=00f14610a&_ss=r
Happy gardening!