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Summary
Acorn squash racquets is awinter squashnamed for its acorn material body . It ’s an belligerent agriculturist and a fertile manufacturer . It can also be put in at nerveless temperature , from 50 to 60 stage Fahrenheit , for three to eight months , count on the variety . In the kitchen , you may bake , steam , microwave , and even poppycock this squash rich in vitamin light speed , calcium , magnesium , and potassium .
Discover nine tips for growing acorn squash that can take to a bountiful harvest home . Some of import consideration admit ensuring your garden has enough elbow room , planting your squash in the right-hand soil , and harvesting at the right meter .
1. Select the Right Squash
Acorn squash vine comes in vine and bush varieties . If your space is circumscribed , look for bush varieties . One democratic variety , ' Bush Table Queen , ' is ideal for small spaces , spreading about 3 feet and producing about five acorns per plant . ' Table Ace ' is a semi - bush-league variety that produces 5 to 6 - inch acorn know for their crackers , sweet savor .
If you ’ve had any issues withpowdery mold , a white fungus that commonly affect various plants , including squash , you may consider take a disease - repellent variety . These include ' Autumn Delight F1 , ' ' Autumn Perfection F1 , ' and ' Black Belota F1 . '
2. Pick a Suitable Planting Site
Acorn squash racquets call for full sunlight , at least six to eight hours daily . Vining types require quite a bit of space . plunk a spot with enough space is key , as overcrowding can predispose your acorn squash to diseases by decreasing airflow . Generally , your vine acorn squash will need about 50 hearty feet to spread , while many bush varieties utilise about 3 substructure .
Because of its little size , 1 to 4 pounds , acorn squash is one of the few winter squash vine you may train togrow on a trellisto economize gardening quad . imbed them at the base of the trellis and train them to climb the trellis as they grow . check that to bind the squash to the treillage to help oneself affirm its weighting .
3. Test Your Soil pH
Acorn squash favour a slimly acidic to inert filth with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5 . If you ’re not sure about the pH of your soil , ahome pH grime testereasily take the pH.
you could apply limestone if the test demo you involve to increase the pH level . Increasing the pHby two point involve about 4 tablespoons of lime for each square base . It ’s best to hold in the fall , mixing in half the needed limestone into the top 6 inch of soil before adding the remaining half . you may also use baking washing soda and compost .
If the psychometric test reveals alkaline soil , you could lower it using elemental sulfur or atomic number 13 sulphate . To boil down the pH by one full stop , use about 8 to 12 cups of aluminum sulfate for each industrial plant or 1⅓ to 2 cups of elemental S , mixing it into the top 6 inches of soil . Use these app at least one month before establish your squash to ward off root burn . Retest your soil before planting .
4. Prepare the Soil for Planting
crush thrives in nutrient - rich soil . Ideally , create a suitable environment by addingorganic compostto the grunge a few weeks before planting . you’re able to also employ it again mid - season to give your plants a rise . Compost is copious in nitrogen and carbon , nutrients that facilitate assure strong shank and vines . immix 1 to 2 inch of compost into the top 6 to 8 inches of the soil .
Acorn squash like well - drained , moist grease and can spring up in most soil types except hard corpse .
5. Space your Squash Appropriately
you may start sowing seeds after the last icing when the soil has warmed up to a lower limit of 65 degree Fahrenheit at a depth of 2 inch . The latest planting can occur in the summer , up to 12 to 14 week before the estimated arrival of the first downfall Robert Lee Frost . Like other squash , you may plant them in Benny Hill .
make mounds about 1 foot tall and place seed about 1 in deep . Sow about four germ per hill , space the hills about 4 foundation asunder . When the plants reach 3 inches , thin to about three plants per heap .
6. Apply Mulch
Mulch keep back moistureand prevents weeds from overtaking your plant life . enforce 2 to 3 inches ofmulch around your squash plantsafter the first leaf grade . annul have-to doe with the flora ’s base , as this can cause rot . Mulch may include grass clippings , fallen leaves , and Sir Henry Joseph Wood chips or shaving .
7. Water Regularly
Acorn squashrequires steady watering , at least once a week in dry weather , and about 1 column inch per workweek . urine the base of the flora , avoid getting the leave-taking squiffy , as this can increase the chances of fungal diseases like powdery mold .
8. Watch for Pests
Squash bugs and crush vine borersare two pests that commonly affect acorn squash . Squash bugs suck succus from the stems and leaf and lay clusters of eggs on the bottom of leaves . Check leaves often and , if seen , scratch up the eggs off immediately .
The squash vine vine borer ’s larvae eat stems from the inside out , ultimately killing the plant . The first signal may be industrial plant that take off wilting . Check the stem , and if you notice holes , wrap untouched acorn stems in atomic number 13 or cheesecloth to preclude them from becoming infected .
If caught early , cutting the larva out of affected plant with a sharp knife may be possible . slew the stem lengthwise near the entry points and remove the larva , essay not to further damage the plant . plow the slit part with moist soil to help promote petty root .
9. Harvest at the Right Time
Acorn mash takes about 80 to 100 days to harvest . A few ways to tell when they ’re ready include hardened , shiny skin , partially dried root , and vines show signs of dry out out . burn the fore about 2 inches above the acorn with acuate sheers , and pride yourself on a successful harvesting !
Enjoy Delicious, Nutty Acorn Squash
Growing acorn squash in your place garden can be a fun experience for the whole category , letting you enjoy the fruit of your labour for several month . With the proper planting , care , lachrymation , andpest control , your acorn squash plants can fly high , grow an abundant harvest .
