Winter Squash Varieties to Plant Now

Few vegetables reward a gardener quite like winter squash. Plant them in spring or early summer, tend them through the season, and come fall you'll harvest dense, flavorful fruits that store for months — providing homegrown food well into winter. If you haven't started planning your squash patch yet, now is the time.

Here's a guide to the best winter squash varieties to grow, plus everything you need to know to get a great harvest.

Winter Squash vs. Summer Squash: What's the Difference?

Both come from the same plant family, but winter squash is harvested fully mature, with a hardened skin that allows long-term storage. Summer squash (zucchini, yellow squash) is picked young and eaten fresh. Winter squash is about abundance and longevity — one plant can produce fruits that feed your family for months.

Top Winter Squash Varieties to Grow

1. Butternut Squash

The most popular winter squash in America — and for good reason. Butternut produces tan, pear-shaped fruits with sweet, smooth orange flesh that's perfect for soups, roasting, and purees. It's relatively compact for a winter squash and stores exceptionally well (up to 6 months).

Days to maturity: 80–90 days | Best for: Zones 3–10

2. Acorn Squash

Small, ribbed, and deeply flavored, acorn squash is ideal for single-serving meals — just halve, roast, and fill. It matures faster than most winter squash and takes up less space, making it great for smaller gardens. Varieties range from dark green to golden yellow.

Days to maturity: 75–85 days | Best for: Zones 3–10

3. Delicata Squash

The darling of farmers markets, delicata has cream-colored skin with green stripes and a sweet, almost corn-like flavor. Its thin skin is edible — no peeling required — which makes it the most kitchen-friendly winter squash. Compact vines make it suitable for smaller spaces.

Days to maturity: 80–90 days | Best for: Zones 3–10

4. Kabocha (Japanese Pumpkin)

Rich, dense, and intensely sweet — kabocha is often described as a cross between pumpkin and sweet potato. Its dark green skin and deep orange flesh make it a showstopper in the kitchen. Highly productive and stores well for 3–4 months.

Days to maturity: 95–105 days | Best for: Zones 4–10

5. Spaghetti Squash

The novelty that never gets old. When cooked, spaghetti squash flesh separates into noodle-like strands — a popular low-carb pasta substitute. Mild in flavor, it takes on whatever sauce you pair it with. Easy to grow and stores for 3–5 months.

Days to maturity: 80–90 days | Best for: Zones 3–10

6. Hubbard Squash

The heirloom giant. Hubbard squash can weigh 10–15 pounds and stores for up to a year — making it the ultimate winter food security crop. Its rich, dry flesh is excellent for pies, soups, and baking. Needs plenty of space but rewards generously.

Days to maturity: 90–100 days | Best for: Zones 3–9

7. Red Kuri Squash

A stunning teardrop-shaped squash with deep red-orange skin and chestnut-flavored flesh. Red Kuri is a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike. It's compact enough for smaller gardens and stores beautifully through winter.

Days to maturity: 90–100 days | Best for: Zones 4–10

How to Grow Winter Squash Successfully

Timing

Plant seeds or transplants after your last frost date, when soil has warmed to at least 60°F. Most winter squash needs 80–110 days to mature, so count back from your first fall frost date to determine your planting window. In most of the US, that means planting between late April and mid-June.

Space

Winter squash vines are vigorous. Standard varieties need 6–8 feet between plants. If space is limited, look for bush or semi-bush varieties of acorn or delicata, or train vines vertically on a sturdy trellis.

Soil & Feeding

Squash are heavy feeders. Amend planting holes generously with compost. Side-dress with a balanced fertilizer when vines begin to run, and again when fruits set. Consistent moisture is critical — aim for 1–2 inches of water per week, delivered at the base of the plant.

Pollination

Squash produce separate male and female flowers. Males appear first; females follow (identifiable by the tiny fruit at the base of the flower). If you're seeing flowers but no fruit, hand-pollinate using a small brush or by transferring pollen directly from male to female flowers in the morning.

Harvesting & Curing

Winter squash is ready to harvest when:

• The skin is hard and cannot be dented with a fingernail
• The stem has dried and corked over
• The fruit has reached its mature color

After harvest, cure most varieties (except acorn and delicata) at 80–85°F for 10–14 days. Curing hardens the skin further and converts starches to sugars, dramatically improving flavor and storage life. Store cured squash in a cool, dry place (50–60°F) — not the refrigerator.

Plan Now, Feast Later

Winter squash is the ultimate long-game vegetable. A little planning and effort in spring translates into months of nourishing, homegrown meals when the garden is bare and the days are short. Choose two or three varieties, give them room to run, and let the season do the work.

Your fall self will be very grateful.

---