Growing winter squash is a highly gratifying endeavor that allows gardeners to continue to cultivate and harvest fresh garden vegetables into the cooler months. Varieties such as butternut, acorn, and spaghetti squash offer both visual appeal and exceptional versatility in the kitchen, making them a staple in seasonal cooking.
As a nutrient-dense, long-storage crop, winter squash thrives in a variety of climates and can be harvested at peak maturity for optimal flavor and shelf life. With careful planning and attention to growing conditions, winter squash can be a cornerstone of your garden, providing a bountiful, enduring harvest well into the colder months.
Table of Contents
- Winter Squash and Summer Squash – what’s the difference?
- Planting Location
- Planting and Germination
- Water, Fertilization and Pollination
- Diseases and Pests
- 4 Things You Shouldn’t Plant Anywhere Near Winter Squash
Winter Squash and Summer Squash – what’s the difference?
Winter squash and summer squash differ primarily in their growing seasons, texture, and how they’re harvested. Summer squash, including varieties like zucchini and yellow squash, is typically harvested while the fruit is still immature, with soft, edible skins and tender flesh. These squashes have a high moisture content and are best enjoyed fresh, often sautéed, grilled, or used in light dishes.
In contrast, winter squash is harvested later in the season once the fruit has fully matured and its skin has hardened. Winter squash has a dense, starchy flesh and a low moisture content, making it ideal for long-term storage and versatile in hearty dishes. Its thicker skin acts as a natural protective barrier, allowing it to be stored for several months without spoiling. Both types of squash are delicious in their own right, but their distinct characteristics make them suited for different culinary uses and storage needs.
Planting Location
When scouting around to find a spot in the garden to plant your winter squash, choose a location that gets lots of bright light. They’ll grow best with between 6-8 hours of sun. You’ll also want to make sure there is lots of room for the plant to spread out as it grows. Winter squash prefer rich soil, so mix in a good amount of compost into the soil prior to planting.
Planting and Germination
Plant a few weeks after your last frost. Direct sowing is preferable if possible, but I sometimes plant seedlings in the greenhouse to protect small sprouts from hungry goldfinches. Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep in the amended soil with plenty of space in between each planting. Depending upon the variety, winter squash can be vining (such as spaghetti squash) or it can be a big bushy plant (like many acorn squash varieties).
Winter squash thrives in the hot season and grows best during this time. Protect the squash from extreme temperatures to prevent sun scalding. Maturity and hardening of the outer skin takes three months or more. The final stages of maturation can take place after the cooler weather sets in, but be sure to harvest all produce prior to a frost.
Water, Fertilization, and Pollination
Consistent watering is best achieved via drip irrigation. Make sure not to over water. The soil should never be soggy as this will hinder fruit development and encourage mildew. Once the fruit starts to develop, add some phosphorus fertilizer as a side dress to encourage fruit growth. As soon as the fruit is large enough and starts to ripen, reduce water even more to prevent fruit rot and disease.
Squash plants have both male and female flowers, and require pollination, often by bees or other insects. On occasion you may need to hand pollinate due to low insect populations or high heat.
Diseases and Pests
Squash mildew is a common issue for squash gardeners, especially during warm or humid weather. It’s typically caused by two types of fungi: powdery mildew and downy mildew. Both can affect your squash plants, leading to yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and poor fruit production if left unchecked. Powdery mildew is whitish in appearance and is usually associated with hot and dry conditions. Downey mildew is more yellowing on the leaves and more often shows up in cool, wet conditions or due to over watering.
Winter squash can also be affected by squash bugs, vine borers, aphids and cucumber beetles. Keep a vigilant eye out and make sure to treat any pesky invader as soon as possible. Pick off and destroy bugs and spray, because even a small number of bugs will significantly affect the overall health of your winter squash and the plant could decline very rapidly.
4 Things You Shouldn’t Plant Anywhere Near Winter Squash
Avoid planting these 4 vegetable plants near your squash plants.
- Melons: Melons are heavy feeders that can take nutrients away from your squash plants.
- Beets: Fast-growing root crops like beets can disrupt the sensitive roots of squash.
- Fennel: Fennel is a hardy flowering plant with a fast growth rate that can stunt the growth of neighboring squash plants.
- Potatoes: These root vegetables can monopolize the nutrients in your garden soil and starve squash plants nearby.
