Harvest Type:  Single harvest

Transplant/Direct Sow:  Direct sow or transplant

When to Plant:  Sow seeds directly when the soil temperature is 50°F.  Indoors, 4-6 weeks before the average last frost date.

Days to Germinate:  10-14 days

Days to Maturity:  50-60 days

Planting Depth:  1-1 ½” deep

Germination Temp:  Minimum 50°F . Optimal range 60-70°F.

Seed Spacing:  2-3 seeds per hill and space hills 24" apart.

Rows:  3-4' apart

Light:  Full sun

Soil pH:  6.0-6.8 pH

Water:  1-2” of water per week

Soil Temperature:  50-70°F

Fertilizer:   5-10-10 N-P-K ratio

Harvest Type

Spaghetti squash is a single harvest crop that produces all of its fruit at the end of the growing season.

TIP: Spaghetti squash will keep for about three months if you store in a 60°F environment.

Transplant / Direct Sow

You can direct sow or transplant seedlings.

TIP: Start spaghetti squash seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your transplant date.

When to Plant:

Sow seeds directly or transplant seedlings outdoors when the soil temperature is above 50°F and all danger of freezing has passed; 2-3 weeks after the average last frost date for your area.

Days to germinate

It takes spaghetti squash seeds 7-14 days to germinate.

Days to maturity

It takes about 50-60 days for spaghetti squash to produce a crop.

Planting Depth

Plant seeds at 1-1 1/2" deep.

Germination Temperature Range

Spaghetti squash seeds germinate the best when the soil is above 50°F with ideal soil temperatures in the 60-70°F temperature range.

Spacing Between Plants

Place 2-3 seeds per hill and space hills 24" apart. Keep rows spaced at 24" apart.

Companion Plants

Corn, pole beans, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, and onions are excellent companion plants for spaghetti squash plants.

Growing conditions

Spaghetti squash likes fertile soil. Start with aged compost and work it down to 18" deep. Plant seeds in hills and keep the hills at least 2' apart. Water spaghetti squash at the base keeping the leaves dry. Fertilize when the plants begin to bloom with a 5-10-10 N-P-K ratio fertilizer.

Rotation

Each year, rotate spaghetti squash plants.  Follow squash plants with a cover crop or grow peas or beans in that spot. Both will help to fix nitrogen in the soil.

Anticipated yields

TIP: You can dehydrate or can excess squash. If you are overwhelmed with squash, the extras make excellent snacks for chickens.

Plan your garden yield at 2-4 spaghetti squash plants per person. Plan on squash weights of 4-8 pounds apiece. Plants produce 4-5 squash.