Cucurbita pepo. 95 days. Open-pollinated.
Ten Commandments, also called Crown of Thorns, is an open-pollinated, heirloom gourd named for the unique, eye-catching ring of ten knobs or prongs that point toward the blossom end of the fruit.
The fruits, which grow to about the size of a softball and weigh around 1 pound each, are mottled orange, white, and green and are perfect for use in fall displays to add a bit of autumn flair around your home or business!
Though their main attraction is a fall or winter decoration, these gourds can also be used in the kitchen as a summer squash if picked when they're still young.
Ten Commandments / Crown of Thorns Gourd
Growth Chart
Hardiness Zones:
3 to 12
Light Requirement:
Full sun
Soil Type:
Rich, well-drained
Sow Depth:
1 inch
Plant Spacing:
36 to 48 inches
Germination Temp:
70ºF or higher
Germination Time:
10 to 14 days
Maturation:
95 days
Growing Tips
Start seeds 3 to 4 weeks before the last spring frost. Soak seeds overnight, then sow in peat pots, 2 to 3 seeds per pot. Use a heat mat to maintain a soil temperature above 70°F and thin to the strongest plants once the seedlings have obtained their first set of true leaves. Transplant outdoors once soil temperatures have warmed to at least 70°F.
If direct sowing, wait until outdoor soil temperatures are 70°F or warmer, then plant seeds 1 inch deep in hills, 5 seeds per hill with 5 feet between hills. Thin to the strongest plants once the seedlings have obtained their first set of true leaves.
