Type of Harvest: Continual Harvest

Transplant/Direct Sow: Direct sow or transplant

When to Plant: Start seeds indoors 8 weeks before the average last frost date for spring, and 6-8 weeks before the average first frost date for a fall garden. Direct sow when soil temperature is above 60°F.

Days to Germinate: 4-7 days

Days to Maturity: 110-125 days

Planting Depth: ½ ” deep

Germination Temp: 60°F

Seed Spacing: Plant in hills with three seeds per hill. Thin to one seedling. Space hills 4-6 feet apart.

Row Spacing: 3-4' apart

Light: Full sun

Soil pH: 6.0-7.5 pH

Water: 1-2” of water per week

Soil Temperature: Minimum 60°F. These are warm weather loving plants.

Fertilizer: 10-10-10 N-P-K ratio, 10-15-10 during flower production.

Rotation: Rotate Winter squash each year. These are heavy soil feeders.

Harvest Type
Cushaw Squash is a big, 20 pound+ winter squash. Generally, winter squash harvest begins once the plant begins to die back. That means that the harvest is finished within a few weeks.

Transplant / Direct Sow
In the spring, start seeds indoors about eight weeks before the average last frost date. Because Cushaw squash is a warm weather plant, you can direct sow seeds in late spring or early summer after the last average frost date. Cushaw Squash are not cold tolerant making them a single harvest crop for the year. If you live in a colder region, use row covers to protect seeds and transplants. Transplant seedlings when they are 3-4 inches tall and when the soil temperature is above 60°F.

Sun:
Full Sun. In hotter areas, afternoon shade is good. Water if the plants starts to wilt, but water from the ground rather than over the leaves.

When to Plant:
Transplant or direct sow seeds when the soil temperature is 60°F.

Days to germinate
It takes most Cushaw Sqash seeds 4-7 days to sprout.

Days to maturity
It takes about 110 days for Cushaw Squash to reach maturity, longer in cooler regions.

Planting Depth
Plant seeds 1/2" deep.

Germination Temperature Range
Germination is best when the soil is 60°F.

Spacing Between Plants
Plant Cushaw Squash in mounds with three seeds per mound. Thin to remove the two weakest seedlings. You can transplant if needed. Leave 4-6 feet per hills and keep rows 3-4 feet apart.

TIP: Don't be afraid to over-plant winter squash, such as Cushaw squash as they keep for several months if keep in a cool dark place.

Companion Plants
Onions, cucumber, pole beans, dill, and oregano are all good companion plants for cushaw squash.

Growing conditions
Cushaw likes a little warm weather. Start with good, well-draining soil—water with 1-2" of water per week, keeping the ground evenly moist. Water if the plant starts to wilt. Plant in full sun. Cushaw Squash are not frost hardy.

Tip: Cover developing squash with a crate to keep crows away. Ground squirrels can be destructive to larger squash.

Rotation
Rotate Cushaw Squash each year. These are heavy feeders and will need fresh, highly nutrient soil to produce.

Anticipated yields
Plan your garden yield at one plant per person. Expect 4-10 squash per plant in the 10-20 pound range for each fruit. If you over-plant, you can share them with others or give the extra fruit to chickens. Cut the squash in half and your chickens will do the rest.