Growing Table Queen Acorn Winter Squash in the Vegetable Garden

Direct sow Table Queen Acorn Winter Squash seeds outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have reached at least 65 F. Sow seeds 1 inch deep in hills or rows, planting 3-5 seeds per hill and thinning to the 2-3 strongest plants once seedlings reach 3 inches tall. Space plants 24-36 inches apart in rows 48-72 inches apart to give the vines room to spread. For an earlier start, seeds can be started indoors in peat pots 3-4 weeks before the last frost date — squash roots are sensitive to disturbance, so peat pots allow for transplanting without disruption. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds, and water deeply at the base rather than overhead to reduce the risk of fungal disease. Squash are heavy feeders; work compost into the soil at planting and fertilize regularly throughout the season.

Table Queen produces long, sprawling vines that can be trained onto a sturdy trellis to save space, thereby improving air circulation and keeping fruit off the soil. Pinch off late-season blooms in midsummer to direct the plant's energy into ripening existing fruits before frost. Plant alongside corn and beans in a traditional Three Sisters arrangement, or tuck nasturtiums and marigolds nearby to deter cucumber beetles and aphids.

Harvesting Table Queen Acorn Winter Squash

Table Queen Acorn Winter Squash is ready to harvest 80-85 days from sowing, once the rind has deepened to a rich dark green and resists puncture by a fingernail. Cut the squash from the vine with a sharp knife or pruning shears, leaving 2-3 inches of stem attached — never carry the squash by the stem, as a broken stem shortens storage life. Harvest all fruit before the first hard frost. Field cure in a dry, sunny spot for 10 days, or cure indoors in a warm, well-ventilated space. Store in a cool, dry location at 50-55 F with good air circulation; properly cured Table Queen squash will keep for several months into winter.

About Table Queen Acorn Winter Squash Garden Seeds

Table Queen Acorn Winter Squash was introduced in 1913 by the Iowa Seed Company of Des Moines, Iowa — earning it one of its common alternate names, Des Moines Squash. It is one of the oldest and most widely grown acorn squash varieties in American gardens and won the prestigious All-America Selections award in 1939.

This variety was originally developed from squash domesticated by Native Americans and is considered the benchmark heirloom against which other acorn squash varieties are measured. Its full-size vining habit distinguishes it from later bush-type offshoots such as Table King and Table Queen Bush.

The dark olive-green fruits average 1 to 1.5 lbs and about 6 inches in diameter, with deeply ribbed shells and dense, sweet, golden-yellow flesh. Though technically a winter squash, Table Queen is closely related to summer squash varieties within the diverse Cucurbitaceae family.

Tips From Our Gardeners

If your garden space is limited, don't let Table Queen's vining habit discourage you — train the vines vertically up a sturdy trellis or fence and use a fabric sling to support the developing fruits. You'll get the same prolific harvest in a fraction of the ground space, and the improved airflow helps keep powdery mildew at bay.

- Jerry Sawyer, True Leaf Market Writer

Table Queen Acorn Winter Squash Seeds Per Package:

• 1 oz - Packet - Approximately 319 Seeds
• 4 oz - Bulk - Approximately 1,276 Seeds
• 1 lb - Bulk - Approximately 5,104 Seeds
• 5 lb - Wholesale - Approximately 25,520 Seeds

Table Queen Acorn Winter Squash seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.