Winter squash is an annual vegetable representing several squash species within the genus Cucurbita. It differs from summer squash in that it is harvested and eaten in the mature stage when the seeds within have matured fully and the skin has hardened into a tough rind.
Winter Squash Care
Cucurbita Moschata
What is the plant
Winter squash is a low-calorie food and a good source of complex vegetable carbohydrates and dietary fiber. It is an excellent source of vitamin A, a great source of vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber and manganese, and a good source of folate, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B1 (thiamin), copper, tryptophan, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B3 (niacin) and vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid).
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Humidity
Normal
Lighting
Full Sun
Temperature
10°C - 32°C
Hardiness zone
3 - 9
Difficulty
Medium
Hibernation
Cold Period
How to Care for the Plant
Water
Squash need one inch of water per week. To put that into perspective, you'll need to water mature squash plants once a week so the soil is moist 8 to 12 inches beneath the surface. If your soil is very sandy or the weather is smoking hot, you'll need to water more frequently.
Pruning
If you start pruning as soon as the four to five fruits are set, the vines should be tender enough to pinch off with your fingers. Simply look for the squash that is farthest out on the vine and pinch off the tip of the vine, leaving just a couple of leaf nodes past the outermost squash.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer can be applied to the plants to give them the nutrients they need.
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Soil
Squash prefers a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.8. Winter squashes will sprawl and require ample space; if space is tight train them over a small A-frame or up a trellis as tall as 5 to 8 feet (1.5-2.4m).
Temperature
Winter squashes grow best in air temperatures ranging from 50° to 90°F (10-32°C); established fruit will ripen in temperatures as high as 100°F (37°C) but flowers will drop in high temperatures. Winter squash requires 60 to 110 days to reach harvest.
Container
Bush-type winter squash can be grown in containers but the season is long. Sow 2 or 3 seeds in the center of a 10-inch (25cm) container; thin to the strongest seedlings once plants are 3 to 4 inches (7-10cm) tall. Extend the growing season by planting early and moving pots indoors when frost threatens.
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Additional
Squash can contain a toxic compound called cucurbitacin E., which can cause cucurbit poisoning, also known as toxic squash syndrome (not to be confused with toxic shock syndrome) in people who ingest it. Winter squash are generally picked when completely mature, have thick rinds that cannot be eaten, and can be stored for several months. Squash are in the Cucurbitaceae family also known as the gourd family. Both summer and winter squash are related to melons such as watermelon and honeydew.
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