How to Plant Acorn Squash Seeds Indoors

Depending on the variety, acorn squash is deep green or golden yellow.

Weighing 1 to 3 lbs. each, acorn squash is a relatively small squash with a firm, dark green or golden yellow outer covering. The inner flesh of the squash is golden yellow and has a slightly sweet flavor. Although acorn squash is often planted directly in the soil, planting the seeds indoors gets the plant off to an early start. Starting acorn squash seeds indoors is especially useful if you live in a cold climate with a short growing season.

Things You'll Need

• Acorn squash seeds
• Peat pots
• General purpose potting mixture
• Pan or tray
• Clear plastic
• Shovel
• Compost or decomposed manure

Instructions

1. Plant acorn squash seeds indoors about a week before the last expected frost date in your area. Acorn squash plants don't do well in cold soil, so indoor planting is timed so the seedlings are ready to plant outdoors when the weather has warmed to at least 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, usually at least two to three weeks after the last frost.

2. Fill several peat pots nearly to the top with general purpose commercial potting mixture. Peat pots work well for acorn squash seeds, as the squash seedlings don't like to be transplanted. Because peat pots are planted directly in the soil, the seedling roots aren't disturbed and the plants adapt easily.

3. Place the filled peat pots in a pan or tray filled with 1 to 2 inches of water. Allow the pots to remain in the water overnight or until the potting mixture is evenly moist.

4. Poke two to three squash seeds into the soil in each peat pot, with the seeds planted 1 inch beneath the surface of the soil. Place the pots on a large tray, then cover the pots with a sheet of clear plastic.

5. Place the peat pots in a warm room where the plants are exposed to bright, indirect sunlight. Don't place the pots in a windowsill, as sun magnified through the glass is too hot and will burn the seedlings. Keep the soil evenly moist. Acorn squash seeds germinate in seven to 10 days, depending on the variety.

6. Remove the plastic when the seeds germinate, usually in seven to 10 days. Allow the seedlings to develop for about a week, then thin the seedlings to one plant per peat pot. To thin the seedlings, pinch off the weaker seedlings at soil level, leaving the healthiest seedling to develop.

7. Plant the acorn squash seedlings outdoors in soil that has been cultivated to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Before planting, dig 2 to 4 inches of compost or decomposed manure into the soil. Plant acorn squash in full sunlight. Allow 18 to 24 inches between each plant.

References

• University of Maryland Extension; Winter Squash; Jon Traunfeld; et al; November 2010
• Cornell University Extension; Starting Seeds at Home; Charles Howard
• What's Cooking America: Squash - Summer & Winter Squash - Squash Varieties
• National Gardening Association: Squash