Crops › Acorn Squash (Pumpkin)
How to grow Acorn Squash (Pumpkin)
in the US
Sow April to May, plant out June to August, harvest September to October. About 90 days from seed to plate.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Acorn squash, proper cracking winter squash that one. It's got that lovely nutty taste and keeps well too, so you'll have some for the colder months. On the plot, they're big plants, real spreaders, but they give you a proper good harvest.
Sowing
You can sow acorn squash seeds indoors or direct, depending on your zone and when your last frost is. If you're starting indoors, get them going 2 to 4 weeks before that last frost, planting them about an inch deep in small pots. Keep them warm, around 70°F (21°C), on a windowsill or in a greenhouse. For direct sowing, wait until the soil's properly warmed up, usually after your last frost date, and sow seeds an inch deep, 2 to 3 feet apart in mounds. Like I say, check your zone, but generally, you're looking at March to May for zones 8 and 9, and May for zone 5.
Growing on
Once your indoor seedlings have their true leaves, carefully prick them out if they're crowded, though I often just sow one seed per pot to avoid that faff. Before planting them out, you'll need to harden them off for a week or so, just getting them used to the outside world. Plant them out after all danger of frost has passed, giving them plenty of room, about 3 to 6 feet between plants. They're big spreaders, you know, so don't skimp on the space.
Looking after it
Acorn squash needs full sun and rich soil, so dig in some compost before planting, like. Water deeply and consistently, especially when the fruits are setting, but try not to get the leaves too wet. A good mulch helps keep that moisture in and keeps the weeds down too. They're hungry plants, so a bit of liquid feed every few weeks won't go amiss.
What goes wrong
The main blighters for squash are those pesky squash bugs and vine borers. Keep an eye out for them, especially the eggs on the undersides of leaves, and pick them off if you can. Aphids can be a nuisance too; a strong spray of water can often sort them out. Cucumber beetles can cause trouble, so keep your plants healthy and strong and they'll be better able to cope.
Harvest
You'll be harvesting your acorn squash from late summer right through autumn, usually about 90 days after sowing. The skin should be hard, and the stem will be tough and dry. Cut them from the vine with a bit of stem attached, maybe an inch or two, as this helps them store better. Cure them in a warm, dry spot for 7 to 14 days, then store them somewhere cool and dry; they'll last for months.
To be honest, I always plant nasturtiums near my squash; they seem to distract the aphids and make a nice bit of ground cover as well, you know what I mean.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Table Queen A classic Table Queen variety of Winter Squash – Acorn / Table. It's a reliable old favorite, great for home cooks and those wanting a dependable harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Sweet Dumpling This is a cracking Sweet Dumpling variety of Winter Squash – Acorn / Table, one you sow directly outdoors. It's perfect for smaller servings and has a lovely sweet, nutty flesh. | No club votes yet |
| Carnival A vibrant Carnival variety of Winter Squash – Acorn / Table that you start indoors. With its colorful skin and sweet taste, it's a real looker and a treat on the plate. | No club votes yet |
| Celebration This Celebration variety of Winter Squash – Acorn / Table is another one for direct sowing. It offers a beautiful mix of colors and a sweet, creamy texture, making it a proper versatile squash. | No club votes yet |
| Gill’s Golden Pippin A heritage Gill’s Golden Pippin variety of Winter Squash – Acorn / Table, best started indoors. This one's known for its excellent flavor and good keeping qualities, a real gem for the larder. | No club votes yet |
| Jet Acorn This speedy Jet Acorn variety of Winter Squash – Acorn / Table is sown outdoors. It matures quickly and produces a good crop of traditional dark green fruits, proper reliable. | No club votes yet |
| Thelma Sanders Sweet Potato Thelma Sanders Sweet Potato is a fantastic variety of Winter Squash – Acorn / Table to sow indoors. It's got a unique, sweet potato-like flavor, lovely for roasting. | No club votes yet |
| Festival A delightful Festival variety of Winter Squash – Acorn / Table for outdoor sowing. Its striped, multicolored skin makes it a standout, and the flesh is sweet and tender. | No club votes yet |
| Autumn Delight This Autumn Delight variety of Winter Squash – Acorn / Table is one to get going indoors. It yields a good number of uniform, dark green fruits with a rich, nutty flavor, just what you want. | No club votes yet |
| Heart of Gold The Heart of Gold variety of Winter Squash – Acorn / Table is best sown directly outdoors. It's a reliable producer of good-sized, flavorful fruits, a proper workhorse on the plot. | No club votes yet |
| Mesa Queen A cracking Mesa Queen variety of Winter Squash – Acorn / Table that you start indoors. It's known for its consistent quality and good yields of dark green, ribbed fruits, proper chuffed with this one. | No club votes yet |
| TipTop This TipTop variety of Winter Squash – Acorn / Table is another one for outdoor sowing. It produces a bounty of sweet, orange-fleshed squash, ideal for baking and roasting. | No club votes yet |
| Sweet Mama (small kabocha type) This Sweet Mama (small kabocha type) variety of Winter Squash – Acorn / Table is one to sow indoors. It’s got that lovely sweet, nutty flavor, a bit like a kabocha, and is great for smaller gardens. | No club votes yet |
| Tuffy Acorn A robust Tuffy Acorn variety of Winter Squash – Acorn / Table, excellent for outdoor sowing. It's disease resistant and gives you a good crop of dark green, firm-fleshed squash. | No club votes yet |
| White Acorn This White Acorn variety of Winter Squash – Acorn / Table is best started indoors. It's a bit different with its creamy white skin and tender, sweet flesh, a real talking point. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Acorn Squash (Pumpkin) seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April to June | August to November |
| Zone 4 | April to June | August to November |
| Zone 5 | May | September to October |
| Zone 6 | April to May | September to October |
| Zone 7 | April to May | August to October |
| Zone 8 | March to April | August to November |
| Zone 9 | March to April | August to November |
| Zone 10 | April to June | August to November |
Cook the harvest
Halved acorn squash roasted until tender are filled with a savory wild rice pilaf studded with dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and fresh herbs for a showstopping autumn main or side dish. The nutty rice soaks up the sweet juices of the squash while it bakes, tying the whole dish together beautifully.
75 min · mediumRoasted acorn squash and spiced black beans piled into warm corn tortillas with avocado crema, pickled red onion, and cilantro. These vegetarian tacos are hearty, deeply flavorful, and ready in 40 minutes. The combination of sweet roasted squash with earthy black beans and bright toppings hits every register of a perfect taco.
45 min · easyRoasted acorn squash wedges glazed with harissa and honey until caramelized and fiery, then served on a cool, garlicky yoghurt with a scattering of fresh herbs and toasted seeds. This is the kind of side dish that steals the show — the contrast of hot, spicy squash against cold, creamy yoghurt is extraordinary. Ready in 40 minutes and impressive enough for guests.
40 min · easyA smooth, velvety acorn squash soup with roasted garlic, a hint of smoked paprika, and a swirl of cream — deeply warming and completely easy to make. Roasting the squash first deepens the flavor dramatically compared to simply boiling it, and the result is a soup with a complexity and sweetness that tastes far more effortful than it is. Ideal for weeknight dinners or dinner party starters.
65 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: Corn, Beans, Nasturtiums, Marigolds
Questions people ask
When do you sow Acorn Squash (Pumpkin) in the US?
Sow Acorn Squash (Pumpkin) from April to May in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out June to August, after the last frost.
How long does Acorn Squash (Pumpkin) take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 90 days, with the harvest September to October.
Which Acorn Squash (Pumpkin) varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Table Queen, Sweet Dumpling, Carnival, Celebration and more.
Track your Acorn Squash (Pumpkin) from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.