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Growing Table Queen Acorn Squash in the Vegetable Garden

Table Queen is a warm-season crop that should be direct sown after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have reached at least 70 F. For an earlier start, begin seeds indoors 3 to 4 weeks before the last expected frost date. Sow seeds 1 inch deep, planting two to three seeds per hill, then thin to the strongest seedling. Space plants 36 to 48 inches apart in rows 72 to 96 inches apart to give the vigorous vines room to spread. Choose a site with full sun and rich, well-drained soil amended with compost or aged manure.

Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during flowering and fruit set, and water at the base of the plant to reduce the risk of foliar disease. A layer of mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds around the spreading vines. Fertilize after the first flowers appear and again once fruit begins to develop. Table Queen produces multiple fruit per vine, and allowing them to mature fully on the plant results in the best flavor and storage quality.

Harvesting Table Queen Acorn Squash

Harvest after the fruit has developed a deep, dark-green rind and the spot where it rests on the ground turns from yellow to orange. The rind should be hard enough to resist denting with a fingernail. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut the fruit from the vine, leaving 2 to 3 inches of stem attached to help extend storage life. Cure harvested squash in a warm, dry location for about 10 days before moving to cool, dry storage. Properly cured Table Queen acorn squash can store for several months.

About Table Queen Acorn Squash Garden Seeds

Table Queen is one of the oldest and most recognized acorn squash varieties in North America. It has been a garden staple for generations and is the parent stock behind many modern acorn squash selections, including bush and semi-bush types.

This is the original full-sized vining Table Queen, not to be confused with the more compact Table Queen Bush. The vines spread vigorously and benefit from ample garden space or a trellis strong enough to support the fruit.

The dark-green, deeply ribbed fruit averages about one pound and has sweet, fine-grained orange flesh that is excellent for baking, roasting, stuffing, and soups.

Table Queen stores well through the winter months when properly cured, making it a practical choice for growers who value both garden productivity and long-term food storage.

Tips From Our Gardeners

Leave acorn squash on the vine until the rind is fully hardened and the ground spot turns orange. Harvesting too early gives you watery, bland flesh. And always cut the stem rather than twisting it off, since a broken stem shortens storage life significantly.

- Jerry Sawyer, True Leaf Market Writer

Table Queen Acorn Winter Squash Seeds Per Package:

• 4 g Packet - Approximately 40 Seeds
• 1 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 300 Seeds
• 4 oz - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 1,200 Seeds
• 1 lb - Bulk Seeds - Approximately 5,000 Seeds
• 5 lb - Wholesale - Approximately 25,000 Seeds
• 25 lb - Wholesale - Approximately 124,000 Seeds

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