If you want a generous harvest from your garden, learning how to plant acorn squash is a perfect place to start. This guide will walk you through every step, from seed to storage, in a simple way.
Acorn squash is a rewarding winter squash that’s surprisingly easy to grow. It stores well and provides nutritious meals long after the growing season ends. With a little planning and care, you can enjoy your own homegrown squash.
How to Plant Acorn Squash
This main process involves a few key stages: planning, planting, caring, and harvesting. We’ll break each one down into manageable steps. Let’s begin with what you need to know before you put a single seed in the ground.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Gathering your supplies ahead of time makes the process smooth. You won’t need anything too fancy.
- Acorn squash seeds (a reputable brand or saved from a previous squash).
- A sunny garden spot or large containers (at least 5 gallons).
- Compost or well-rotted manure.
- Balanced organic fertilizer.
- Mulch (straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings).
- A trellis or sturdy cage (optional, for vertical growth).
Choosing the Right Time and Place
Timing and location are critical for success. Acorn squash are warm-season crops that hate frost.
When to Plant Acorn Squash
Plant seeds outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed to at least 60°F (15°C). This is typically 1-2 weeks after your last average spring frost date. For a head start, you can sow seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before your last frost.
Selecting the Perfect Spot
Acorn squash plants need full sun—at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The site should have rich, well-draining soil. They are heavy feeders and need plenty of space, as vines can sprawl 6-8 feet or more.
Preparing Your Garden Bed
Good soil preparation sets your plants up for a strong start. Don’t skip this step.
- Clear the area of weeds and debris.
- Loosen the soil to a depth of about 12 inches using a garden fork or tiller.
- Mix in a generous 3-4 inch layer of compost or aged manure. This improves fertility and drainage.
- You can also mix in a balanced, slow-release organic fertilizer according to package directions.
The Planting Process: Step-by-Step
Now for the main event. You can plant in hills or rows; hills are traditional and help with drainage.
Planting in Hills
- Create small mounds of soil about 3 feet apart. Mounds should be roughly 10 inches high and 20 inches wide.
- Plant 4-5 seeds per hill, poking them about 1 inch deep into the soil.
- Cover the seeds gently with soil and pat it down lightly.
- Water the area thoroughly but gently to avoid washing the seeds away.
Planting in Rows
- If you prefer rows, space seeds about 3 feet apart in the row, with rows 5-6 feet apart.
- Plant seeds 1 inch deep.
- Water well after planting.
Once seedlings emerge and have 2-3 true leaves, thin them to the 2-3 strongest plants per hill or space. This gives the remaining plants room to thrive.
Caring for Your Growing Squash Plants
Consistent care through the season is the secret to a big harvest. The main tasks are watering, feeding, and managing pests.
Watering and Mulching
Water deeply and consistently, aiming for about 1-2 inches per week. Always water at the base of the plant to keep leaves dry and prevent disease. Applying a thick layer of mulch around plants helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and keep fruits clean.
Fertilizing for Success
Feed your plants when they begin to vine with a fertilizer higher in phosphorus and potassium (like a 5-10-10 blend) to encourage flowering and fruiting. A side dressing of compost mid-season can give them an extra boost.
Pollination Tips
Squash have separate male and female flowers. Bees usually handle pollination, but if you see small fruits withering, you might need to help. Simply pick a male flower (straight stem), remove its petals, and gently rub its center onto the center of a female flower (has a tiny squash at its base).
Common Pests and Problems
Stay vigilant. Catching issues early makes them easier to manage.
- Squash Bugs: Hand-pick adults and egg clusters from the undersides of leaves daily.
- Squash Vine Borers: Look for sawdust-like frass at the base of stems. You can slit the stem carefully to remove the borer, then cover the wound with soil.
- Powdery Mildew: A white fungus on leaves. Improve air circulation and consider an organic fungicide like neem oil.
Rotating where you plant squash each year helps prevent soil-borne diseases from building up.
Harvesting and Storing Your Acorn Squash
Knowing when and how to harvest ensures your squash tastes great and stores for months.
When to Harvest
Harvest acorn squash when the rind is hard and deep green, usually 80-100 days after planting. The part touching the ground will turn a rich orange-yellow. The skin should be tough enough that you cannot easily pierce it with your thumbnail.
How to Harvest
- Use sharp pruners or a knife to cut the fruit from the vine.
- Leave a 2-3 inch stem attached; squash without a stem rot quicker.
- Handle them carefully to avoid bruising.
Curing and Storage
For best storage, cure squash in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place (like a sunny patio) for about 10 days. This hardens the skin further. After curing, store them in a cool (50-55°F), dark place with moderate humidity. Properly cured acorn squash can last 1-3 months.
Growing Acorn Squash in Containers
Short on space? You can still grow acorn squash. Choose a compact or bush variety labeled as suitable for containers. Use a pot that holds at least 5-10 gallons of soil and has excellent drainage. Water container plants more frequently, as they dry out faster. A small trellis in the pot can support the vines and save space.
FAQ About Planting Acorn Squash
How many acorn squash do you get from one plant?
A healthy acorn squash plant will typically produce 3-5 fruits, sometimes more under ideal conditions.
Can you plant acorn squash seeds from the grocery store?
You can try, but it’s not always reliable. Store-bought squash are often hybrids, and seeds may not produce fruit true to the parent. It’s better to use seeds from a reputable garden supplier for predictable results.
What should not be planted near acorn squash?
Avoid planting other squashes, pumpkins, or cucumbers right next to acorn squash. They can cross-pollinate (affecting saved seeds) and attract the same pests, making infestations worse. Potatoes are also not good companions.
How long does it take for acorn squash to grow after flowering?
After a female flower is successfully pollinated, the fruit will mature and be ready for harvest in approximately 50-55 days.
Why are my acorn squash flowers falling off?
Male flowers naturally fall off after a day. Female flowers falling off usually indicates poor pollination. Try hand-pollinating to improve fruit set. Also, extreme heat or inconsistent watering can stress the plant and cause flower drop.
Growing your own acorn squash is a simple project with delicious rewards. By following these clear steps—giving your plants sun, space, food, and water—you’ll be well on your way to a successful harvest. The taste of a homegrown squash, roasted with a little butter and brown sugar, is worth the wait. Remember to save a few seeds from your best fruit if you want to try growing them again next year.