How to Plant Acorn Squash Seeds

Acorn squash are easy to grow from seed.

Acorn squash is one of the many winter squash varieties that can be grown in the home garden. Unlike summer squash, winter squash can be used to make pies or baked, steamed or broiled to be served as a nutritious vegetable that is high in vitamins A and C as well as potassium. Winter squash can be stored for one to six months. You can get an early start on acorn squash by starting them indoors four to six weeks before the last frost is expected in your region.

Things You'll Need

• Peat pots Wire basket Seed starting mix Pencil or chopstick Organic matter Shovel Fertilizer Trowel

Instructions

Planting Acorn Squash Seeds

1. Scoop seed starting mix into 4-inch-wide biodegradable pots such as peat pots.

2. Pack the mix down firmly in each of the peat pots using your fingers. Use a pencil or a chopstick to poke three or four 1-inch-deep holes in each peat pot.

3. Plant one acorn squash seed into each hole you created. Cover each seed with no more than 1 inch of the seed starting mix.

4. Place the peat pots in location with a temperature range of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Mist the peat pots with water as often as required to keep the mix semi-moist, but do not water too often, which can saturate the soil and cause the seeds to rot. Acorn squash seeds will begin sprouting in seven to 10 days.

5. Thin the acorn squash seedlings to two per peat pot once they have a pair of leaves. Use scissors to cut off at the soil the least hardy-appearing seedlings.

6. Transfer the acorn squash seedlings outside for two to three hours every day, starting 10 to 14 days before you plant them in your vegetable garden, to acclimate them to exterior growing conditions. Do this when the seedlings are about 1-1/2 to 2 inches tall.

7. Plant the acorn squash seedlings outside once the soil remains above 68 degrees Fahrenheit and no chance of further frost is expected.

Planting Acorn Squash Seedlings

1. Decide where you are going to plant the acorn squash seedlings. For best results choose a location that will provide full sun, as suggested by Richard Jauron at the Department of Horticulture with Iowa State University.

2. Turn over the soil using a spade or a garden fork to mix in a 2- to 3-inch layer of well-rotted manure, aged compost or other organic matter. To increase soil fertility, incorporate into the soil 3/4 to 1 cup of a balanced 10-10-10 or 15-15-15 granular fertilizer for every 50 square feet of planting area.

3. Create 3-foot-wide rows in the area you have cultivated and prepped that are about 5 to 7 feet apart. Use a trowel to dig holes down the center of each row that are about 4 to 5 feet apart. Every hole should be wide enough and deep enough to accommodate a peat pot.

4. Plant an acorn squash into a planting hole. Scoop in soil around each of the peat pots, firming it down as you proceed.

5. Water all the acorn squash seedlings thoroughly with water.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan on watering the acorn squash once a week. Provide the equivalent of 1 to 2 inches of water.

References

• Rhode Island State University: Growing Squash
• Iowa State University: Growing Squash
• The University of Illinois: Planting Squash

Resources

• Farmer's Almanac: Frost Dates
• United States National Arboretum: Invasive Plants