winter squash
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A winter squash producing heavy crops of tennis-ball sized, dark green, rounded fruits on trailing vines up to 3m in length. Fruits generally weigh around 400g, (14oz) and are useful for individually stuffing and roasting.
Scientific classification
- Species
- winter squash (Cucurbita 'Gemstore')
- 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
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- Deciduous
- Foliage
- Trailing
- Habit
- Spring · Summer · Autumn
- Season of interest
- Full sun
- Sunlight
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- Ideal temperature
winter squash pictures
Distribution of winter squash
Distribution map
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Culture
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Toxicity
If crop is bitter, don't eat. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Quick identification of winter squash
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winter squash care guide
- Keep moisture even through flowering and fruiting, avoiding hard dry swings
- Watering
- Full sun
- Sunlight
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- Ideal temperature
Watering
Keep moisture even through flowering and fruiting, avoiding hard dry swings
Fertilizing
FertilizingTomato or pepper feed every one to two weeks in fruiting season
Pruning
PruningNo pruning required
Propagation
PropagationPropagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
Growing
GrowingGrow 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 cucurbit cultivation
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Common pests and diseases
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds and powdery mildews
Pests
Generally pest-free
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