How to grow Winter Squash

Cucurbita maxima

In some circumstances fruit may rot and fall off before gaining any size, small losses are not necessarily a concern. If this problem persists then it may be attributed to a lack of pollination which can be remedied by hand pollinating. In the early morning, take a male flower (generally on a long stalk, no fruiting body present) and apply it to the female flower (small bulb or fruiting body, at the base of the flower) so as to transfer pollen from male to female, thus mimicking the action of pollinating insects.

Water the plant by dripper or applying water directly at soil level (soaker hose, etc.), no splashing, misting or spraying foliage. Do this sometime between sunrise and before sundown, to allow humidity levels around the plant to stabilise and reduce fungi disease problems.

Powdery mildew may become a problem if humidity becomes too high – try a weekly spraying of a water and milk solution (1 part milk: 9 parts water) over the leaves at the first signs of mildew.

Growing Winter squash from seed

Seed will generally sprout with no assistance, however if the seed coating has not naturally cracked, light scarifying with sand paper may be used if germination issues occur.

Aim to sow 1.17 inches (3.0 cm) deep and try to ensure a gap of at least 2.28 feet (70.0 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 21°C / 70°F to ensure good germination.

Transplanting Winter squash

Direct seed when soil has warmed up. Ideal range is 21 to 25°C ( 70 to 75°F)
May be grown and transplanted as young seedlings.

As Winter squash is tender, ensure temperatures are mild enough to plant out (around 15°C / 59°F as a guideline) - wait until after your last frost date to be on the safe side.

Harvesting Winter squash

Fruit should be cut off leaving 5cm/2in stem on fruit. Fruit matures to bright orange when it should be cut from the plant & put in a warm, dry place for a few days to ‘Cure’ (the skin to harden).

Seed Saving Winter squash

Seeds once removed from the pulp can be dried after washing & sorting & kept in a cool, dark place till the following spring when they can be sown once again.

Seed viability is four years.

How long does Winter squash take to grow?

These estimates for how long Winter squash takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Winter squash to germinate?
9 days

Average 9 days | Min 2 days | Max 23 days (184)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Winter squash?
+ 26 days

Average 26 days | Min 7 days | Max 62 days (26)

Days to Maturity How long until Winter squash is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ 122 days

Average 122 days | Min 93 days | Max 261 days (17)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Winter squash?
= 157 days

Winter squash Etymology

The word pumpkin originates from the word pepon, which is Greek for “large melon". The French adapted this word to pompon, which the British changed to pumpion and later American colonists changed that to the word we use today, “pumpkin". 1, 2

Winter squash Folklore & Trivia

A commonplace motif of people being turned into pumpkins by witches.

The Jack-o-lantern custom discussed above, which connects to Halloween lore about warding off demons.1

Other names for Winter squash

Pumpkin

Misspellings: Curcibita maxima, Butter cup squash, Curcurbita maxima

Footnotes

1 Wikipedia entry on Pumpkin

2 Pumpkin Patch


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