How to Grow Squash: Tips, Facts, and Information

Squash is a versatile and easy-to-grow vegetable that comes in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors. Whether you’re growing summer squash like zucchini or winter squash such as butternut, these plants thrive in warm weather and produce abundant harvests. Squash is perfect for roasting, grilling, soups, and even desserts! With the right care, squash can be a rewarding addition to your garden. Here’s a guide to the top 20 squash varieties to grow, along with essential growing tips, fascinating facts, and answers to common questions.

Top 20 Squash Varieties to Grow

1. Butternut Squash

Tips: Butternut squash prefers full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Plant seeds in late spring after the last frost.
Facts: Known for its sweet, nutty flavor, butternut squash has creamy orange flesh and is perfect for soups, roasting, and baking.

2. Zucchini (Black Beauty)

Tips: Zucchini thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant seeds after the last frost and water regularly.
Facts: Black Beauty zucchini produces dark green, tender fruits and is incredibly versatile in the kitchen—great for grilling, baking, or sautéing.

3. Spaghetti Squash

Tips: Spaghetti squash prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Sow seeds after the last frost and keep the soil moist.
Facts: This unique variety produces stringy, spaghetti-like flesh when cooked, making it a healthy substitute for pasta.

4. Pattypan Squash (Sunburst)

Tips: Pattypan squash grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant seeds in hills after the last frost.
Facts: Sunburst pattypan squash has a distinctive scalloped shape and a mild, buttery flavor. It’s perfect for grilling or stuffing.

5. Acorn Squash

Tips: Acorn squash thrives in full sun and rich soil. Plant seeds in late spring, ensuring they have plenty of space to grow.
Facts: This winter squash has dark green skin and sweet, orange flesh. It’s perfect for roasting or stuffing and is a favorite for fall dishes.

6. Delicata Squash

Tips: Delicata squash prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Plant in late spring and keep the soil consistently moist.
Facts: Known for its thin, edible skin and sweet, nutty flavor, delicata is great for roasting, and its tender skin means no peeling is required.

7. Yellow Crookneck Squash

Tips: Yellow Crookneck squash grows well in full sun and rich, moist soil. Plant seeds in hills and water consistently.
Facts: This summer squash has a curved neck and bright yellow skin. Its tender flesh is perfect for frying, sautéing, or adding to casseroles.

8. Kabocha Squash

Tips: Kabocha squash prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Plant seeds in late spring for a fall harvest.
Facts: Known for its dense, sweet flesh, Kabocha is perfect for soups, stews, and roasting. Its flavor is often compared to a cross between pumpkin and sweet potato.

9. Gold Rush Zucchini

Tips: Gold Rush zucchini grows best in full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Plant seeds after the last frost and water regularly.
Facts: This variety produces bright yellow fruits with a mild, sweet flavor. It’s perfect for grilling, baking, or using in salads.

10. Hubbard Squash

Tips: Hubbard squash thrives in full sun and requires a lot of space to spread out. Plant in late spring after the last frost.
Facts: This large winter squash has a tough skin and sweet, dense flesh, ideal for baking and pureeing into soups.

11. Tatume Squash

Tips: Tatume squash prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Plant seeds after the last frost and water consistently.
Facts: This Mexican heirloom squash can be harvested young as a summer squash or left to mature into a winter squash. It’s versatile and flavorful.

12. Sweet Dumpling Squash

Tips: Sweet Dumpling squash grows best in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Plant seeds in late spring for a fall harvest.
Facts: This small, round variety has sweet, creamy flesh and is perfect for individual servings. It’s great for roasting or stuffing.

13. Round Zucchini (Eight Ball)

Tips: Round zucchini grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant seeds in hills and water regularly.
Facts: Eight Ball zucchini produces small, round fruits that are perfect for stuffing. Its tender flesh is mild and delicious.

14. Turban Squash

Tips: Turban squash prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Plant seeds in late spring and give plenty of space for vines to grow.
Facts: This striking variety gets its name from its unique turban-like shape. It has sweet, nutty flesh and is often used for baking and decoration.

15. Cousa Squash

Tips: Cousa squash thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant seeds after the last frost and water consistently.
Facts: This Middle Eastern variety produces light green fruits with a sweet, nutty flavor. It’s ideal for grilling, stuffing, or baking.

16. Carnival Squash

Tips: Carnival squash grows well in full sun and rich soil. Plant seeds in hills after the last frost.
Facts: This decorative squash has colorful, speckled skin and sweet, nutty flesh. It’s great for roasting and adds beauty to fall displays.

17. Ronde de Nice

Tips: Ronde de Nice squash prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Plant in early summer after the last frost.
Facts: This French heirloom variety produces round, tender zucchini with a mild flavor, perfect for stuffing or grilling.

18. Tromboncino Squash

Tips: Tromboncino squash grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant seeds in late spring and provide a trellis for vertical growth.
Facts: This unique, long-necked squash can be harvested young as a summer squash or left to mature into a winter squash. Its sweet, mild flavor is versatile in many dishes.

19. Gem Squash

Tips: Gem squash thrives in full sun and fertile soil. Plant seeds in hills after the last frost and water regularly.
Facts: This South African heirloom variety produces small, round fruits with sweet, tender flesh, perfect for roasting or boiling.

20. Buttercup Squash

Tips: Buttercup squash prefers full sun and rich, well-drained soil. Plant seeds in late spring and give the vines plenty of space.
Facts: This variety has sweet, dense flesh and is perfect for roasting, mashing, or adding to soups and stews.

Common Questions About Growing Squash

Q: When should I plant squash?
A: Squash should be planted in late spring, after the last frost, when the soil has warmed to at least 70°F. They thrive in warm weather and need plenty of sunlight.

Q: Can I grow squash in containers?
A: Yes, smaller varieties like pattypan or round zucchini can be grown in containers, but make sure the pots are large (at least 10-15 gallons) with good drainage. Place the container in a sunny location and water consistently.

Q: How long does squash take to grow?
A: Summer squash varieties like zucchini can be ready to harvest in as little as 40-50 days, while winter squash varieties typically take 80-120 days to mature.

Q: How do I know when my squash is ready to harvest?
A: Summer squash should be harvested when the fruits are small and tender, typically 6-8 inches long. Winter squash is ready when the skin is hard, and the color has deepened, usually in late summer or early fall.

Q: How do I store squash after harvesting?
A: Summer squash should be stored in the refrigerator and used within a week, while winter squash can be cured in a warm, dry place for 7-10 days and then stored in a cool, dark location for several months.