Q&A for How to Grow Acorn Squash

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!

Yes, but it needs to be a large and deep pot so the plant can develop a healthy root system.

Male 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.

Yes. That is a good method and avoids "transplant shock," which is a real concern. Planting the seeds directly into (warm) ground is better. Plant five seeds around the hill, one inch deep. The hill should be 1 1/2 to 2 feet across the top, and 8 inches or so high. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of 5-10-15 fertilizer into the hill and work it into the dirt before you plant the seeds. After the seeds develop a third leaf, thin the hill to the three best looking plants.

As long as the squash isn't molded or anything like that, then it's fine to eat.

Acorn squash sprawl happily into the ground. If you are asking how tall it will climb, it will climb if guided with strings. They don't commonly grow vertically upwards, unlike beans and peas.

This is most likely because they are not pollinated. It could also be due to excessive heat.

If you're living somewhere with seasonal winter you should start them indoors are wait until the last frost had passed away. If you live in the tropics, you could start anytime of the year as squashes also like rainy days.

It would not be practical. They need a lot of room to grow, the vines can get 10 to 12 foot long. They also need lots of light at least 6 to 8 hours a day so you would also need a quality grow light.