Winter Squash
Festival Acorn
BEST TO START OUTDOORS
Long keeping winter squash needs full sun, rich fertile soil and warm temperatures. Wait to plant until nights are reliably above 50°F (10°C) both day and night. Sow groups of 2 to 3 seeds 2 ft. apart and 1 in. deep in rows 4 ft. apart. Thin to 1 strong seedling per group to give plants ample room to grow. Or make slightly mounded hills 2 to 3 ft. across and 5 ft. apart and plant 4 to 5 seeds in each hill. When seedlings have several sets of leaves, thin to the strongest 3 seedlings per hill.
GROWING NOTES
Protect young seedlings from marauding birds by covering with plastic berry baskets at sowing time, removing before plants get crowded. Thin seedlings properly; you’ll get more squash from well spaced plants.
HARVEST AND USE
Winter squashes need to mature properly, so don’t harvest until vines have died back and squashes’ exterior rinds are fully colored and tough enough to resist piercing with a fingernail. Then cut squashes from vines, leaving a good stem handle. Cure in the sun for about 10 days, before storing in a cool dry place to keep for 2-4 months. To prepare, cut squash in half and bake until tender.
Cold Winters |
Mild Winters |
Sun/Shade |
Space Seeds |
Days To Germinate |
Days To Harvest |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May – June
|
April – June
|
Full sun
|
Rows: 4 ftHills: 6 in.
|
7 – 10 days
|
82 – 85 days
|
Cold Winters |
Mild Winters |
Sun/Shade |
Space Seeds |
Days To Germinate |
Days To Harvest |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May – June
|
April – June
|
Full sun
|
Rows: 4 ftHills: 6 in.
|
7 – 10 days
|
82 – 85 days
|
Cold Winters
May – June
|
Mild Winters
April – June
|
Sun/Shade
Full sun
|
Space Seeds
Rows: 4 ftHills: 6 in.
|
Days To Germinate
7 – 10 days
|
Days To Harvest
82 – 85 days
|