Growing Guide: Spaghetti Squash
Plant: Spaghetti Squash
Genus: Squash / Field Pumpkin
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Hardiness Zones: 2-11 (USDA)
Sun: Full sun
Flavor Notes: Very mild, almost neutral flavor that is slightly sweet and nutty.
Origin: China
General Growing Information:
· When using transplants, plant them in a spot with full sun about 2 weeks after the last spring frost.
· Squash seedlings resent transplanting. Starting squash seeds indoors under grow lights is often counter-productive for those with a growing season over 100 days. Planting transplants out into the garden instead of planting seeds sets plant growth back by a few weeks. Because of this, only start squash seeds indoors if you live in a northern region with a short growing season.
· Seeds are sown to a depth of 1 to 1 1/2 inches. There are 3 main ways you can plant these squash: Mound / Hill, Ground, and in Squash Rounds. For details on each way of planting visit the Savvy Gardening link in the sources.
· Spaghetti squash requires loose, well-drained soil.
· Don’t apply any fertilizer that’s high in nitrogen because it leads to long vines with little fruit. Instead, choose an organic granular fertilizer that’s slightly higher in phosphorous (the middle number). Phosphorous promotes the production of flowers and fruits.
· Water your spaghetti squash plants regularly. After the peak of summer, remove blossoms from the squash plants. You’ll want their energy going into growing the squashes on the vine.
· If the fruits sit in one place too long without air circulation, your spaghetti squashes will start to rot. To prevent this, place boards or tiles underneath them.
· Unlike other types of squash, spaghetti squash needs to be harvested when it is fully mature. One trick for testing this is to scrape your fingernail against the skin of the squash. If your fingernail punctures the squash skin, it needs more time to mature.
· You can store spaghetti squash in a cool, dry place for at least a couple of months. Don’t wash your squash before storing it. Make sure the squashes don’t touch one another and turn them once a week. You can also store the spaghetti squash in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks.
Starting from Seed
· You can start your seeds indoors about 2 weeks before the last frost of the winter/spring season.
· When planting spaghetti squash seeds, it is smart to use peat pots that can be planted directly in the ground along with the seedling.
· Always use nutrient-rich soil, keep the soil moist at all times.
· Provide the seeds with at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. If you don’t have this type of light in your home, you may wish to use a heat lamp.
Container Gardening
· “My favorite spaghetti squash to grow in containers is the ‘Tivoli‘ variety. It’s high-yield and has short vines with a sturdy, upright habit. The plant will reach about 2 feet tall and may stretch up to 3 feet wide in containers.” – P. Allen Smith
· Use a large container, no smaller than 5 gallons. During the growing season, feed the plants lightly to make up for the lack of nutrients in the potting soil.
· Once the soil temperatures have reached 70 degrees and the threat of frost has passed, you can transplant your seedlings.
Sources:
1. General Info & Container Gardening: https://pallensmith.com/2017/10/02/growing-harvesting-spaghetti-squash/#:~:text=Plant%20them%20in%20a%20spot,3%20feet%20between%20each%20hill.
2. General Info: https://savvygardening.com/growing-spaghetti-squash/
3. Starting indoors: https://premeditatedleftovers.com/gardening/how-to-grow-spaghetti-squash/
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