Plant encyclopedia›squash

squash

Also known as: American squash; Canada pumpkin; crookneck squash; cushaw; Japanese pie pumpkin; musk melon; pumpkin; Quaker pie pumpkin; sweet potato pumpkin; winter crookneck squash; winter squash; butternut squash

A winter squash species from which several commercial cultivars have been produced. Cylindrical fruits with a bulbous end furthest from the stalk are produced on trailing vines in excess of 4m (13ft) long. The smooth hard-skinned fruits store well once ripe and are a variable pale orange with sweet, bright orange flesh. They can reach around 3.5kg (almost 8lbs) in weight

Scientific classification

Species: squash (Cucurbita moschata)
Genus: Cucurbita
Family: Cucurbitaceae

If crop is bitter, don't eat. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Toxicity: Annual Biennial
Plant type: 0.5-1 metres
Height: 4-8 metres
Spread: Deciduous
Foliage: Trailing
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn
Season of interest: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

squash pictures

Distribution of squash

Distribution map

Information to be completed

Culture

Information to be completed

Toxicity

If crop is bitter, don't eat. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling

Quick identification of squash

Information to be completed

squash care guide

Keep moisture even through flowering and fruiting, avoiding hard dry swings
Watering: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Keep moisture even through flowering and fruiting, avoiding hard dry swings

Fertilizing

Tomato or pepper feed every one to two weeks in fruiting season

Pruning

No pruning required

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Growing

Grow in fertile, moisture retentive but well drained, acidic to neutral soil in full sun. Sow indoors March to May in good quality seed compost. Sow the seeds on their side 1cm deep and maintain a constant temperature of 18-21C. Feed regularly with a high potassium fertiliser when the first fruits start to swell. See squash cultivation for more advice

More growing and care information →