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Growing All Varieties of Winter Squash

Updated on January 19, 2023
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Cygnet Brown is a high school and middle school substitute teacher. She is the author of fourteen books and a long-time gardener.

What are some of the Varieties of Winter Squash?

There are many varieties of winter squash, but they all can be grown using the same methods. Having grown your own winter squash adds satisfaction when you make hearty homemade baked squash recipes. What are some of these varieties?

Winter squashes often take longer than summer squashes do to reach maturity, so remember to pay attention to this before planting seeds. Most winter squashes are vining squash varieties although some bush types do exist. Winter squash comes in a wide variety of cultivars in all sizes and flavors. All winter squash including butternut, acorn, Hubbard, banana buttercup, turban, and spaghetti squash are grown the same way. Most winter squashes require between 75 and 120 days until maturity.


How Does Winter Squash Differ From Summer Squash?

Winter squash differs from summer squash in that winter squash keeps longer and should be harvested only after the outer skin becomes tough. It is more nutritious than summer squash, but since most are vining plants, they require a lot of space.

At a Glance: How to grow Winter Squash

Plant in Late Spring after all danger of frost is past.

Planting Depth: 1 1/2 inch deep

Distance Plants should be apart: Plant in hills, 6-8 feet apart

Germination Time: 7-14 days

Growing time required: 75-120 days

Planting Winter Squash

Winter squash should be planted in hills, but the term "hills" is a misnomer because in some cases, it is better to plant in a depression rather than a raised area. Although it is true that in cooler wetter climates, a raised hill is a good strategy for lifting the planting area out of cold damp conditions. In other areas where rain is infrequent, planting winter squash in a depression rather than a raised hill can help direct irrigation waters toward the plants' roots.

Although winter squash prefers full sun, winter squash can tolerate some shade. Plant winter squash a week after all danger of frost is past. Space your hills six to eight feet apart. If planning to save seeds, separate cultivars by at least fifty yards. Dig holes three inches deep, and add well-aged compost to the planting hole. plant six seeds water well, and cover with another half inch of compost. Again, water well.

Winter Squash Growing Guide

Once the squash has germinated, thin plants to the strongest two per hill. Provide seedlings with plenty of water and keep the area well-watered throughout the growing season. Water plants in the morning rather than the evening and do not handle plants when wet to avoid spreading plant diseases. Apply a thick layer of mulch around plants to keep weeds down and maintain moisture in the soil.

About four weeks before the first frost, begin pinching off blossoms so that the squash that has set can finish maturing before frost.

Winter squash has few pests, but one that may be an issue is the squash vine borer. They tunnel into the stems and cause the leaves to wilt. By this time, it is too late to do anything about the squash vine borer, so keep an eye out for entrance holes surrounded by a yellow sawdust-like substance. If you see this, cut the stem with a sharp knife and remove the larvae inside. Next, hill up around the stem wounds so that the plant can reroot. Take special attention to make certain that the area remains well watered.

Other insects may chew on plant leaves, so if this becomes a problem, either dust with wood ashes or diatomaceous earth.

As with most vegetables, you can avoid diseases in the garden by rotating winter squash so that it does not grow in the same location two years in a row and by cleaning up plant debris at the end of the gardening season and adding it to the compost pile.

Harvesting and Storing Winter Squash

Harvest Winter squash only after the squash is fully ripened or the squash will taste bland and watery. It also will not store well. Wait until your plants die back and the shells are hard. Pick ripe fruits before an expected frost. Cover unripe ones with mulch during light frost and then with blankets, sheets, or tarps.

Harvest during dry weather. Use a sharp knife to cut the squash from the vine leaving 3-4 inches of stem on the squash. Squash pulled from the vines can be damaged where the stem connects with the squash and may cause the squash to rot. Eat any stemless squash as soon as possible.

Do not wash any squash that you intend to store. Dry squash in the sun until the stems shrivel and turn gray. The only exception is the acorn squash.

If mildew is likely to be a problem in your area, wipe fruits with a solution of 1:9 chlorine bleach and water. Dry and rub with vegetable oil. This will prevent mildew.

Stuffed Winter Squash

Acorn squash is baked in the oven with a pat of butter and a little brown sugar is one way to serve acorn squash, but with this stuffing of wild rice, pecans, and cranberries, it's a dish that will quickly become a family favorite. The rice mixture can be made ahead and kept refrigerated in an airtight container for up to two days.

The ingredients include:

  • six acorn squash halves with the seeds removed (three acorn squash)
  • three tablespoons of melted butter
  • one tablespoon of packed brown sugar
  • one-half cup finely chopped yellow onion
  • four green onions finely chopped
  • one cup of finely chopped celery
  • one teaspoon of dried thyme
  • two cups of cooked wild rice
  • two-thirds cups roasted chopped pecans
  • one-fourth cup of dried cranberries, finely chopped
  • one teaspoon of sea salt,
  • one-half teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Heat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
  2. Put the squash cut-side up on a baking sheet, brush 1 tablespoon of the melted butter over the tops and insides of the squash halves, sprinkle with the brown sugar, and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for about 25 to 30 minutes until tender.
  3. While the squash is baking, place one tablespoon of the melted butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. When it is melted, add the onion, shallots, and celery, season with salt and pepper, and stir to coat. Stir and cook until vegetables are transparent (about six minutes). Add thyme and cook for about 1 minute.
  4. Remove from the heat and add the rice, pecans, cranberries, and measured salt and pepper.
  5. Divide the rice mixture among the roasted squash halves (about 1/2 cup for each) and drizzle the remaining tablespoon of butter over the top of each. Finish roasting in the oven until the edges of the squash start to brown. This will take about 20 to 25 minutes.
  6. Serve stuffed squash while still hot. Good as a side dish for pork or chicken or served as a vegetarian meal by itself.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2014 Cygnet Brown

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