Delicata Squash

Delicata Squash

Cucurbita pepo var. delicata

Sow outdoors 2 weeks after your last spring frost. Space plants 36 in (91 cm) apart.

Photo: Sharib4rd, CC BY 2.0 · source

When to plant

Timed from your frost dates, so it holds wherever you garden. Give yours and every step below becomes a date.

See the dates for your garden

Enter your average last spring frost and first fall frost. Every timing on this site turns into a calendar date. Not sure of yours? Your local extension service or a search for “last frost date” and your town will tell you; the app finds them from your location.

Last spring frost
First fall frost

Saved in this browser only. Nothing is sent anywhere.

Optimal Direct Sow

From seedRecommended
  1. Sow outdoors2 weeks after your last spring frost
  2. First harvestabout 95 days after sowing

Optimal Indoor Start

From seed
  1. Start indoors1 week before your last spring frost
  2. Begin hardening off1 week after your last spring frost
  3. Plant out2 weeks after your last spring frost
  4. First harvestabout 74 days after sowing

Growing delicata squash

Spacing in the row
36 in (91 cm)
Between rows
60 in (152 cm)
Planting depth
1 inch
Sun
Full Sun
Soil
Well-drained, rich in organic matter
Germination
7-14 days at 75-85°F
Harvest season
Late Summer to Fall
Mature height
1-2 feet (bush type), 6-10 feet (vining type)
Support
Trellis (vining), None (bush)
Life cycle
Annual

Sow seeds directly or start indoors 3-4 weeks prior to transplanting after last frost.

Watering. Consistent moisture, especially during flowering and fruit set. Avoid overhead watering.

Neighbours

The companion chart →

Grows well beside

Keep apart from

Feeding

Seedlings
Light liquid feed once true leaves appear
Growing
Balanced fertilizer when vines begin to run
Flowering and fruiting
High phosphorus/potassium fertilizer once flowers appear
How often
Every 2-4 weeks after initial growth.
Note
Avoid high nitrogen during flowering/fruiting to prevent excess foliage.

Your delicata squash, planned to the day.

Canopy turns these timings into dates from your own frost data, places every plant at its spacing on your garden map, and tracks it all the way to harvest.

Add delicata squash to your planting calendar →

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