Kumi Kumi
Cucurbita pepoA Maori heirloom, this versatile squash can be cooked whole for hangi, grated for fritters or used any way you may use squash. Young fruit can be sauteed, mashed, grated or pickled. Mature fruit is better for storing and using boiled or roasted. Flowers can be eaten as you would zucchini flowers. First introduced to the land of the long white cloud by European settlers, this vegie has now become a staple crop in Maori culture with seed passed down through generations, and we have been fortunate to have received a seed donation from Mihipeka to share with our Diggers family.
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Kumi Kumi
Easy to grow and incredibly productive, plant as you would pumpkins, in a soil enriched with compost and decomposed manure. If training to a trellis, allow vines to grow 1m before training upward. This helps to maximise space and allow for easy harvest. Insect pollinated, plants produce both male and female flowers, with bees the major pollinators in Australia. Avoid placing under insect netting which may cause reduced pollination. Seed germinates readily from 18°C–35°C in as little as 7-10 days. Sow in punnets and transplant after all likelihood of frost has passed. Water regularly, but avoid overhead watering which can encourage mould and mildew.
Growing Information
Seed Sowing
Growing Needs
The number of growing weeks required to reach harvest stage. Of particular importance for Cool climate gardeners.
Plant Characteristics
Delivery timeframe
Please note that we are currently despatching orders for all in-stock items within 5 - 7 business days.
Orders to WA, NT and TAS require quarantine clearance. These orders are shipped weekly which may impact delivery timeframes. Please allow an additional week to receive your package.
We know you're keen to receive your order as quickly as possible, and our team works hard to prepare and pack your orders fast and accurately.
You can safely order plants with Diggers!
Our team carefully pack each order to ensure that live plants are well watered, are securely packed will arrive healthy, ready for transplanting in your garden.
However if within 90 days, your plant is not performing as expected, please contact us. We will work with you to help recover the plant, but if unsuccessful we will provide a replacement or credit under our 90 day Member Satisfaction Guarantee.
Please note our policy on living product covers only those selected for your appropriate climate zone.
Seed only orders:
$6.50
Plant orders:
1-14 plants: $11.95
15+ plants: $21.95
seeds can be added for no additional charge
Hardware, books, bulbs, tuber orders:
$10.95
seeds can be added for no additional charge
Plants with any other combination of hardware, books, bulbs or tubers:
1-14 plants: $22.90
15+ plants: $32.90
Membership & member free seed only orders:
Free
Quarantine surcharge:
$6.00 - covers additional cost of mandatory inspections for WA, NT and TAS orders only
Items available for pre-order will be despatched as soon as the season permits, as indicated by the expected delivery date.