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Add this winter squash variety to your garden with our expert guide
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Acorn squashes are small, short, and round vegetables known for their sweet, nutty flavor. These winter squashes have thick skin so they stay fresh for up to 2 months after you harvest them. An acorn squash is relatively low-maintenance once you plant it, so it’s the perfect addition to your home garden, even if you’re just a beginner. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through how to start your acorn squash seeds so they can grow into healthy vegetables by the end of the summer.
Things You Should Know
- Start your acorn squash in peat pots indoors before the last frost of the year, or plant them directly in mounds of soil once freezing temperatures pass in the spring.
- Give your acorn squash 6 hours of sunlight a day, 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water every week, and balanced fertilizer when blooms and buds first appear.
- Harvest your squash 45–55 days after flowering when the rind hardens and begins to turn orange. Cut the squash stem with shears and use it within 2 months.
Steps
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Plant 2-3 acorn squash seeds in a peat pot during mid-to-late spring. Check the last frost date for your area in the spring, and start your acorn squash seeds about 3 weeks before. Fill a 3 in (7.6 cm) peat pot with organic potting soil . [1] X Research source Then, plant each seed about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep into the soil and sprinkle it with water to help keep it moist. [2] X Research source
- If there’s no danger of frost and the soil temperatures are consistently above 60–70 °F (16–21 °C), then it’s okay to sow your seeds directly into the ground. [3] X Research source
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Sprout the seeds in a warm, sunny window for 1–2 weeks. Acorn squash seeds thrive in warm temperatures, so maintain a soil temperature that’s about 70 °F (21 °C) or higher. Leave the squash seeds alone for about 1–2 weeks so the seeds can properly germinate and form small sprouts. [4] X Research source
- Cover the pot with landscape fabric or black plastic to help warm up the soil and make the seeds germinate faster. [5] X Research source
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Thin out weak or dying seedlings when they’re 2 in (5.1 cm). After a few weeks of your seeds germinating, inspect the pot and look for the seedling that’s tallest and strongest. Pinch off any of the other weaker, smaller seedlings with your fingers, or trim them out of the pot with a pair of gardening scissors . Avoid forcefully pulling or yanking out the weaker seedlings, because you may hurt the root systems. [6] X Research source
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Mix a layer of compost or balanced fertilizer into your planting site. Choose a spot in your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight during the day and start planting when the soil is above 70 °F (21 °C). [7] X Expert Source Olivia Choong
Plant & Gardening Specialist Expert Interview. 3 September 2021. Spread a 2 in (5.1 cm) layer of compost over the space and work it into the layer of topsoil so it’s thoroughly mixed. If you don’t have any compost on hand, spread 4-6 cups (0.9-1.34 kg) of balanced fertilizer over every 100 square feet (9.3 m 2 ) of soil. [8] X Research source- Balanced fertilizer has equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to help your squash develop strong growths.
- If you don’t have much garden space to spare, build a trellis or use a fence next to your squash to train it vertically. [9]
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Expert Source
Olivia Choong
Plant & Gardening Specialist Expert Interview. 3 September 2021. - Run a soil test to determine the pH to see if it’s between 6.0–6.5. If you need to, raise the pH of acidic soil by applying a layer of lime . If your soil is too basic, lower the pH with aluminum sulfate . [10] X Research source
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Transplant seedlings into their permanent planting spot after 2–3 weeks. Form mounds of soil that are about 8–10 in (20–25 cm) tall and around 4–8 ft (1.2–2.4 m) apart. [11] X Research source Dig a hole on top of the mound that’s slightly larger than the diameter of your peat pot and set the pot directly inside. Fill in soil around the base of the squash seedlings. [12] X Research source
- Avoid taking your acorn squash out of the pots because the roots are delicate and you could cause the plant to die when you try transplanting it.
- If you plant your squash seeds directly into the ground, plant 6 seeds per mound. [13] X Research source Then, thin each mound down to 2-3 plants after they each develop 2–3 leaves. [14] X Research source
- Acorn squash that is planted near a fence or trellis will not need to be mounded.
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Water your squash once a week to keep the soil moist. Give your squash at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water every week, whether that’s from rainfall or irrigation. [15] X Research source Try to water in the morning or early afternoon so the foliage and soil have time to dry before evening. Soak the soil to a depth of 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) so water gets absorbed by the entire root system. [16] X Research source
- Avoid getting water on the plants or squash because it could cause powdery mildew to form on the surface.
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Spread balanced fertilizer onto each mound when blooms or buds appear. When you first see blooms starting to form on your squash, take balanced fertilizer over the soil and spread about 2-3 tbsp (28-42 g) around the base of each mound. Gently scratch the fertilizer into the soil with a hoe or rake, ensuring that it doesn’t touch any of the foliage. Water the soil to help the fertilizer soak in and get absorbed by the roots. [17] X Research source
- Apply another round of fertilizer later in the growing season when you see vegetables starting to form.
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Mulch around your squash to prevent weeds from growing in. At the start of the growing season before soil temperatures are 75 °F (24 °C), roll black plastic mulch to help warm up the soil and stop weeds from coming in. If the soil is already at or above temperature, then it’s okay to use an organic mulch, like straw, compost, or grass clippings. [18] X Research source
- If any undesirable plants grow near your squash, pull the weeds by hand or carefully dig out their root system with a hoe.
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Remove or spray any pests you find on your squash. Acorn squash is susceptible to pests like squash bugs and vine borers that chew holes in the plant leaves or cause them to wilt. Look on the undersides of leaves for brown beetles with small red masses of eggs, and remove them by hand or step on them to get rid of them. If you find any grubs or larva crawling on the leaves, then spray them with carbaryl or permethrin pesticides starting in the midsummer. [19] X Research source
- Alternatively, drape your squash plants with a floating row cover to keep insects from accessing them.
- Dig up and remove any plant debris at the end of the growing season to prevent squash bugs and vine borers from returning the following year.
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Pollinate your squash by hand to ensure vegetables form. Squash have male and female flowers that need to pollinate before they form new fruit buds. Find a male flower without a spherical growth at the base, and stick a cotton swab inside to gather the pollen. Then, stick the swab into a female flower (that has a bulbous base) to transfer the pollen. [20] X Research source
- While bees and other insects will naturally pollinate your acorn squash, doing it yourself helps promote more growth.
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Wait until the squash’s rind hardens and changes color to harvest it. It usually takes around 45–55 days after flowering for your squash to fully mature. Check the spot of the squash that sits closest to the ground, and start harvesting if it changed from yellow to orange. [21] X Trustworthy Source Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Iowa State University's Extension and Outreach program dedicated to educating and engaging communities Go to source If you’re still not sure if your squash is ready, try scratching it with your fingernail. If the rind feels tough and resists damage, then it’s ready to pick. [22] X Research source
- Acorn squash also will have a dull surface instead of looking shiny.
- Be sure to harvest your squash before a heavy or hard frost occurs in your area, or else the plant may die.
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Cut the squash’s stem with a pair of garden shears. Support the squash with one hand so it doesn’t drop down when you cut it. Measure about 2 in (5.1 cm) up the stem and make your cut. [23] X Research source
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Store your squash for 1–2 months in a cool, dry, and dark place. Try to find a space that’s between 50 and 55 °F (10 and 13 °C) to keep your acorn squash. Set the squash you harvested side by side rather than stacking them so they’re less likely to develop rot. Use your squash within 2 months of harvesting it to keep it from going bad. [24] X Research source
- If you cut acorn squash into pieces, store it in plastic wrap or in a plastic bag inside your fridge for up to 1 week. [25] X Research source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionDoes acorn squash need a trellis?Olivia Choong is a Plant and Gardening Specialist and the Owner of The Tender Gardener. With more than six years of experience, she specializes in gardening, permaculture, and self-sufficient and low-impact living practices. Her work has been featured in media outlets such as The Straits Times and Channel NewsAsia (CNA). Olivia holds a Bachelor of Mass Communications in PR and Journalism from Murdoch University.A trellis can work as a space-saving measure, but you can also let the vines grow on the ground. Just make sure that allow more room around your other garden beds so the vines can sprawl!
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QuestionCan I grow acorn squash in a pot?Olivia Choong is a Plant and Gardening Specialist and the Owner of The Tender Gardener. With more than six years of experience, she specializes in gardening, permaculture, and self-sufficient and low-impact living practices. Her work has been featured in media outlets such as The Straits Times and Channel NewsAsia (CNA). Olivia holds a Bachelor of Mass Communications in PR and Journalism from Murdoch University.Yes, but it needs to be a large and deep pot so the plant can develop a healthy root system.
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QuestionHow do I tell a male flower from a female flower?Community AnswerMale flowers have a straight, thin stem. Female flowers have a miniature fruit already attached to their stem. You can google for pictures if you need a visual reference; it's easy to recognize once you know what you're looking for.
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Things You’ll Need
- Peat pot
- Potting soil
- Landscape fabric or black plastic
- Gardening scissors
- Compost
- Balanced fertilizer
- Shovel
- Carbaryl or permethrin pesticides
References
- ↑ https://www.almanac.com/plant/winter-squash
- ↑ https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2083/2022/02/vegetable-guide.pdf
- ↑ https://www.almanac.com/plant/winter-squash
- ↑ http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scene11f1.html#profile
- ↑ https://extension.umd.edu/resource/winter-squash
- ↑ https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/10/HO-8.pdf
- ↑ Olivia Choong. Plant & Gardening Specialist. Expert Interview. 3 September 2021.
- ↑ https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/summer-and-winter-squash-in-the-garden
- ↑ Olivia Choong. Plant & Gardening Specialist. Expert Interview. 3 September 2021.
- ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/changing-the-ph-of-your-soil/
- ↑ https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/10/HO-8.pdf
- ↑ https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/growing-squash-iowa
- ↑ https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/cucumbers-pumpkins-squash-and-melons-7-609/
- ↑ http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scene11f1.html#profile
- ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/pumpkins-and-winter-squash#watering-236360
- ↑ https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/10/HO-8.pdf
- ↑ https://www.almanac.com/plant/winter-squash
- ↑ https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-winter-squash-home-garden
- ↑ https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/growing-squash-iowa
- ↑ https://www.almanac.com/why-my-squash-not-fruiting
- ↑ https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/yard-and-garden-harvesting-and-storing-winter-squash
- ↑ https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/summer-and-winter-squash-in-the-garden
- ↑ https://extension.umd.edu/resource/winter-squash
- ↑ https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/growing-squash-iowa
- ↑ https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/using-storing-winter-squash/
About This Article
Article Summary
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Acorn squash is a healthy vegetable you can grow in your garden in just 3 months. Start your acorn squash seeds 3-4 weeks before the last frost of the winter. Plant 6 seeds 1 inch deep in 3-inch deep pots filled with seed mix. Then, leave them on a sunny windowsill until they sprout around 5-12 days later. Once they’ve started to sprout, you can move them outside. Loosen the soil, dig mounds about 3-foot high, and place 3 seedlings per mound. Water the soil whenever it gets dry. Your squash should be ready to harvest after 2-3 months. For more gardening tips, including how to harvest your acorn squash, read on!
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