Forest & Kim Starr / CC BY 3.0
garden
Acorn squash
Cucurbita pepo var. turbinata
Edible
Overview
A winter squash prized for its sweet, nutty flesh and distinctive ridged shape. Native to the Americas, acorn squash has been cultivated by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years as part of the Three Sisters planting tradition. Its compact size makes it ideal for individual servings and small-space storage.
Growing Conditions
LightFull Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones3 — 11
Height0.5m
Spread2m
Growth HabitVine
Pollinator Valuemoderate
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Soil pH6 — 6.8
Soil TypeRich, well-drained loam with plenty of compost
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Start Indoors | Apr — May | Start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost; use peat pots |
| Cold (1-2) | Transplant | Jun — Jun | Transplant after last frost; needs 85-100 days |
| Cold (1-2) | Harvest | Sep — Sep | Harvest when rind is dark green and hard; leave 2" stem |
| Cool (3-4) | Direct Sow | May — Jun | Direct sow when soil is 60°F+; hills 4-6 feet apart |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | Aug — Oct | Harvest before hard frost; cure 1-2 weeks in sun |
| Moderate (5-7) | Direct Sow | May — Jun | Direct sow after last frost; 3 seeds per hill |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | Aug — Oct | Harvest when rind resists fingernail scratch |
| Warm (8-9) | Direct Sow | Mar — Apr | Direct sow in spring |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Jun — Aug | Harvest when dark green with orange patch on bottom |
| Hot (10+) | Direct Sow | Feb — Mar | Sow in early spring; also late summer for fall crop |
| Hot (10+) | Direct Sow | Aug — Aug | Late summer sowing for fall harvest |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | May — Jun | Spring crop harvest |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Nov — Dec | Fall crop harvest |
Uses
Culinary
- Roasted and stuffed with grains or sausage
- Pureed into soups and bisques
- Cubed and added to curries and stews
Medicinal
- High in beta-carotene for eye and immune health
- Good source of potassium and magnesium
- Fiber-rich for digestive support
Other Uses
- Dried shells used as decorative bowls
- Seeds can be roasted like pumpkin seeds
