Delicata squash (Cucurbita pepo) is a popular winter squash cherished for its distinctive flavor and ease of preparation. It is often called “sweet potato squash” due to its rich, sweet taste and creamy texture. Unlike many winter squash varieties, Delicata has a thin, tender rind that is completely edible, eliminating the need for peeling. Its oblong, cream-colored fruits, adorned with dark green stripes, are perfect for roasting or stuffing.
Getting Started: Planting Timing and Technique
Starting Delicata squash requires consistently warm weather, as the plants are sensitive to frost. Seeds should only be planted after all danger of frost has passed in the spring, when the soil temperature has warmed to at least 60°F, ideally 65°F or higher. Planting into cold soil significantly delays germination and stresses young seedlings.
Gardeners can direct sow or start seeds indoors a few weeks before the last expected frost date for an early start. For direct sowing, plant seeds about one inch deep, typically in small mounds or “hills.” Space these hills four to six feet apart to allow ample room for the vines to spread and prevent overcrowding.
The soil should be fertile and well-draining, with a preferred pH range of 6.0 to 6.8. Incorporating well-rotted manure or compost before sowing provides the initial nutrient boost this heavy-feeding plant requires. Planting multiple seeds per hill and then thinning them to the strongest two or three plants ensures a robust start.
Maintaining Growth: Mid-Season Care
Once established, mid-season care focuses on consistent moisture and managing pests and diseases. Delicata plants require deep watering, aiming for one to two inches of water per week, especially during hot weather or fruit development. Watering deeply and less frequently encourages strong, deep root systems, helping the plant withstand dry spells.
Water the soil directly at the base of the plant, avoiding overhead irrigation that leaves the foliage wet. Wet leaves create an ideal environment for fungal issues like powdery mildew, which appears as white, dusty patches. Ensuring good air circulation through proper spacing helps mitigate the spread of this common disease.
Squash plants are heavy feeders, requiring a shift in fertilization as they mature. While early growth benefits from nitrogen, the focus should change once flowering begins to a fertilizer lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium. This nutrient balance supports robust flowering and fruit set rather than excessive vegetative growth.
Successful fruit production depends on adequate pollination between the male and female flowers. Female flowers are identifiable by the small, immature squash swelling visible at the base of the bloom, while male flowers have only a thin stem. If fruit fails to develop despite abundant flowering, it signals a lack of successful pollen transfer, which may require hand-pollination if natural pollinators are scarce.
Completion: Harvesting and Curing
The Delicata growing season concludes with harvesting the mature fruits before the first hard frost. Full maturity typically occurs 80 to 100 days after planting, or 50 to 55 days after the initial fruit set. A reliable way to check for ripeness is the “fingernail test,” where the rind should be hard enough to resist a light puncture.
Other visual indicators of maturity include the fading of the cream color to a deeper yellow or orange hue between the green stripes. The stem connecting the fruit to the vine will also begin to dry out and harden. Harvest the squash when it is fully ripe, as the fruit will not continue to mature once removed from the vine.
When harvesting, use a sharp knife or shears to cut the squash, ensuring a small stem piece of one to two inches remains attached. Leaving this stem portion intact seals the squash, minimizing moisture loss and improving storage potential. Handling the harvested squash carefully prevents nicks or bruises that could shorten its storage life.
After harvesting, the squash must undergo curing, which hardens the rind and concentrates the sugars, enhancing flavor and shelf life. Curing involves placing the squash in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area, ideally maintaining 80°F to 85°F, for five to fourteen days. Once cured, Delicata squash can be stored in a cool, dry place at 50°F to 60°F for up to three to four months.