Plant every acorn squash in a container approximately five gallons large. After the mounds are created, use your finger or the end of a hoe or trowel to poke 2 holes into the top of each mound. In October, plant the “oak from an acorn” in a sunny location with plenty of room to grow, and away from overhead utility lines. It is good for areas with a shorter, cooler growing season. Summer squash can be eaten raw in salads, stir-fried, steamed, or cooked in various dishes. Baked acorn squash with honey and cinnamon is a winter delicacy! When it comes to planting acorn squash, it's best to sow the seeds directly into the garden or container. Fill the container 3/4 full with with the soil if you are planting a young plant, or within one to two inches of the top if you are planting seeds. The Acorn squash is considered a winter squash and when properly stored can be used for up to 6 months. Keep an eye on the moisture. The ideal soil for growing squash, whether bush or vining, is a smooth sandy loam with good drainage and lots of organic material. In warmer climates, it's possible to get two crops of acorn squash per year. Plant 2-3 seeds per container and thin to 1 plant per container when the seedlings reach 2 inches tall. Place acorns on their sides at a depth of one-half to the width size of the acorn. Squash are thirsty plants and heavy feeders, challenging to grow organically in the limited root zone of a pot. Squash does not grow well in cool weather. Plant squash seeds directly in the container, as squash seedlings often won't tolerate transplantation. There are a number of varieties of squash that are appropriate for container gardening. Shortly after, add a thick layer of mulch over the area to keep moisture in the soil. Sign up for our newsletter. Thin to 1 plant/container or cell with scissors. It tastes somewhat like a butternut or acorn squash. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Before either method of planting, moisten the soil well. Squash is a delicious and easy to grow vegetable that is fairly popular in several countries. They require 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Or bake it on the savory side with dried garden herbs and a pinch of salt. You cannot harvest most of the winter squashes including Acorn squash before ripening. Plastic mulch and fabric row covers (AG-19 grade) can aide plant establishment and exclude insect pests during the seedling stage. Acorn Squash Diseases Peas (Pisum sativum) Peas can be planted in early spring and then again when it gets cool in the … Summer squash differs from winter squash in that it is harvested young while it is still tender. How many acorn squash plants would I be able to grow in a 15, 20, or 30 gallon container without overcrowding them? Our favorite recipe: cut each Squash in half, remove seeds and place in baking dish. Acorn squash can be mashed, fried, steamed, roasted, boiled, baked and used to make soups and stews. So, ensure you have an adequate growing season with the full sun before planting. Provide an organic fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season. Growing Vertically. Plant different varieties depending on your situation. As squash plants grow, gently weave the vines in and out of the fencing. TRANSPLANTING: Sow 2-3 seeds per 2" container or plug flat about 3 weeks prior to transplanting. This gets the fertilizer and lime mixed into the soil. So attempting to transplant seedlings usually leads to disaster. The leaves were huge and the vines long, but no female flowers until August. Click here to learn about watering and fertilizing acorn squash plants Click here for help diagnosing and curing common acorn squash plant problems Click here to learn about different acorn squash varieties Click here to learn about harvesting acorn squash Click here for some of our favorite acorn squash recipes Click here to move from our Planting Acorn Squash page to our Growing Acorn Squash main page Click here to return to our Home page, Planting acorn squash Fertilizing and watering acorn squash Harvesting acorn squash Saving acorn squash seeds Acorn squash plant problems Varieties of acorn squash Recipes for acorn squash Acorn squash main page Home page, Acorn squash should be planted no earlier than 2 weeks after the last expected frost in your geographic area. Container Vegetables - Cucumbers. Acorn squash also make good fall decorations, especially if you let them ripen fully so that there's a nice orange spot on the skin. Sep 16, 2015 - Need information about planting acorn squash?