Moisture range
40–60%
Days to maturity
80–110
Light
—
Growing Degree Units
2000 · base 60°F
When to plant winter squash in your zone
Indoor-start, transplant and harvest dates calibrated to your climate.
Growing notes
Pumpkins and winter squash vines run or grow along the ground and take up a lot of space. These plants need warm soils (65 degrees Fahrenheit at 2 inches soil depth) to germinate properly.
Harvest signs
Pick winter squash and pumpkins before a hard freeze
▶Planting reference— Depth, spacing, pH
▶Pests & diseases— striped cucumber beetles, spotted cucumber beetles, squash vine borers, squash bugs, +5 more
Common pests · 5
Striped cucumber beetles: damage plants by eating leaves as well as flowers, stems, and fruit ↗
Spotted cucumber beetles: feed on all above-ground parts of the plant (migrate to Minnesota every year) ↗
Squash vine borers: burrow into the crown and vines of pumpkin and winter squash plants, causing the entire plant to wilt ↗
Squash bugs: can often be found in large groups, and their feeding gives leaves a ragged appearance ↗
Aphids: leaf curling, discoloration, and sticky leaves ↗
Companions & antagonists
Plant near:BeansCorn
Tip: Needs edge/vine zone.
Common questions
How much water does winter squash need?
Winter Squash has middle-of-the-road water needs. Aim to keep soil moisture around 40–60%, letting the top inch dry slightly between waterings rather than staying soggy.
Can I grow winter squash in a raised bed or container?
Winter Squash vines and sprawls, so it needs a trellis or plenty of ground room. Only compact varieties really suit containers.
Does winter squash come back every year?
No — winter squash is an annual. It completes its life in one season, so you replant it each year.