Top Squash Tips for Gardeners

By Scout Nelson

A long-running gardening webinar series has been educating thousands of enthusiasts about growing, cooking, and preserving fruits and vegetables. One of its recent sessions focused on squash, highlighting both summer and winter varieties.

Squash, originally developed in the Americas, includes a wide range of types such as buttercup, butternut, acorn, and zucchini. Experts suggest exploring seed catalogs like Johnny’s Selected Seeds to find unique varieties not often found in garden centers. These catalogs also provide growing tips tailored to northern regions.

Buttercup squash, developed in North Dakota nearly a century ago, is still a favorite for its sweet taste and texture. Butternut squash, known for its moist and smooth texture, is often used in commercial pumpkin pies. Acorn squash stands out for its high calcium and potassium content, making it a healthy choice.

Summer squashes, like zucchini and yellow varieties, are picked while still immature. Though highly productive, their flavor is often mild. Newer hybrids like Zephyr are being developed to improve taste.

Winter squash, such as kabocha and delicata, have thicker skins and store well for months. Some even become sweeter with time as starches turn into sugars. Experts recommend harvesting in late fall and storing in a cool, dry place.

For planting, seeds should be sown directly in the field after the last frost. Squash prefers warm soil, so late May is ideal. When starting indoors, gardeners should use basic lights and avoid overwatering. If starting in pots, thin out seedlings with scissors rather than pulling them out.

The webinar encourages gardeners to explore new varieties, use the right techniques, and enjoy the full experience of squash—from planting to cooking. One speaker shared, “We’ve reached thousands with best practices for growing and enjoying squash at home.”

Gardeners are also welcome to join local trials and access recommended squash variety lists based on years of research.

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