Winter Squash

[hangin'witthepeeps]

I love summer squash, but other than pumpkin I have never ate a winter squash. I would love to try some winter squash and was wondering what to try. I have started a spaghetti squash and an acorn squash. I understand to use spaghetti squash like pasta and acorn in soup. What other squashes can I try this fall? I like all foods except liver, grapefruit and rutabaga.

I will be planting in late August.....

Turnips
Collards
Cabbage
Beets
Carrots
Radish
Spaghetti Squash
Acorn Squash
Broccoli
Lettuce

 

[hangin'witthepeeps]

Oooopps, I thought Winter Squash meant it grew in the winter. My bad, I may be too late to plant some. It frosts here in late October, my average frost date is 10/25.

 

[lesa]

Check the seed packs for days to maturity. You may still have time... I love winter squash and am growing a large patch of it right now!! Hopefully, I will have plenty for storage! Good luck with your second planting!

 

[Holachicka]

I used to think the same thing!

Try butternut squash, I think it's fantastic! I love butternut squash soup, with a touch of cyanne pepper...

 

[Ridgerunner]

I think you have time for winter squash but don't waste a lot of time getting it planted. From looking at seed packet availability and such, I'd think Butternut is probably the favorite. I agree it is very good. I also like the flavor and texture of Delicata. Personal preference is just that though. If someone did not like them, they would not be available.

 

[hangin'witthepeeps]

So where do you guys plant all this squash at the same time? I have 3 squash plants and 1 zucchini and I couldn't plant my pumpkins I wanted. These dang thing take up some much room. I have some nice shaded areas I would throw some seeds in, but what squash does well in shade? I just need to take down some trees so I can have a bigger area. I'm so jealous of some of the pictures you guys have.

 

[hangin'witthepeeps]

Dang, I'm just slow.......

I just googled "winter squash in a raised bed" and got companion planting with corn. I have 6 huge rows of corn in the "shared" garden at my grandmothers house. I will go out tonight and plant some seeds by the corn which has come up nicely. Should I just plant on the ends of the rows so they will get good sun?

Also, should I next year plant the squash at the same time I plant the corn? Or is it too early and the corn needs to get a foot or so tall? TIA, Melissa

 

[hoodat]

Try the bush varieties of Winter squash. They usually mature faster. Bush acorn matures 30 days earlier than the vineing variety.

 

[hangin'witthepeeps]

Thanks hoodat!! BTW, I just sent out your pepper today!!! The last time I sent something to CA from GA it took about a week. I used to live in Turlock, CA right smack dab in the middle of CA in the valley. I used to think CA was all Big Lights and Big City, well I lived with a Dairy farm on one side and lots of orchards and vineyards on the other. Boy was that culture shock for me!!! lol

 

[Ariel301]

I've never had acorn squash in soup. This is how I cook it:

Cut acorn squashes in half and clean out seeds. Put a little butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in the hole and bake on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees until they are soft. (not sure on the exact time, I haven't cooked it in a long time) When you eat it, squish it all up so the butter and sugar and cinnamon get mixed in. Yummy!