Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.
Acorn Squash — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Cucurbita pepo |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 4–10 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 15.6–35 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 75–100 |
| Measured from | Seed |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 61–121.9 |
| Mature height (cm) | 30.5–45.7 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 121.9–243.8 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 3–10 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Direct sow |
Growing directions
Sow seeds 1 inch deep in compost-enriched hills after soil reaches 65°F, planting 3–4 seeds per hill and thinning to 2. Allow vines to spread freely or train onto a sturdy trellis. Leave fruits on the vine until the rind is hard and resists a thumbnail; the stem will also begin to dry and cork over. Cure harvested squash at room temperature for 1–2 weeks to harden the skin before storage.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0