Squash
Cucurbita spp.
Plant out 2 weeks after your last spring frost. Space plants 36 in (91 cm) apart.
Photo: George Chernilevsky, Public domain · source
When to plant
Timed from your frost dates, so it holds wherever you garden. Give yours and every step below becomes a date.
Optimal Transplanting of Purchased Starts
From a plantRecommended from a plant- Plant out2 weeks after your last spring frost
- First harvestabout 61 days after planting out
Optimal Direct Sow
From seedRecommended from seed- Sow outdoors2 weeks after your last spring frost
- First harvestabout 75 days after sowing
Growing 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
- 5-10 days at 65-85°F
- Harvest season
- Summer, Fall
- Mature height
- 24-36 inches (bush), 6-20 feet (vining)
- Support
- Trellis (vining), None (bush)
- Life cycle
- Annual
Direct sow after last frost and soil has warmed, or start indoors 3-4 weeks prior to transplanting.
Watering. Consistent moisture, especially during flowering and fruiting. Avoid overhead watering to prevent powdery mildew.
Neighbours
The companion chart →Grows well beside
Corn
Radish
Nasturtium
Borage
Pea
Potato
Sage
FennelFeeding
- Seedlings
- Light liquid feed once true leaves emerge.
- Growing
- Balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks.
- Flowering and fruiting
- High phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to support fruiting.
- How often
- Every 3-4 weeks during active growth and fruiting.
- Note
- Reduce nitrogen application once flowering begins to promote fruit set over excessive foliage.
Your 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.