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Vegetable
Squash

Squashes in Barkston Ash

Cucurbita spp.

Squash come in summer and winter types, offering versatile fruits from tender courgette-like harvests to hard-skinned varieties that store through winter. They're vigorous plants that love sun and rich soil, producing colourful, flavourful crops perfect for roasting, soups, or stuffing. With trailing or compact options, there's a squash for every garden size.

Height60cm
SunlightFull Shade
WaterLow Water

Growing Guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Squash

Planting Calendar

Seed IndoorLater
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
TransplantLater
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
PruneNow
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
HarvestLater
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
MaintenanceNow
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Growing Guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Traditional method for larger winter squashes like butternut or crown prince, allowing vines to spread for maximum yield in open ground.

  1. Start Seeds Indoors

    9 Feb – 2 Mar

    Fill pots with peat-free seed compost and sow seeds on their side about deep. Keep them warm until they germinate, then grow on in a bright spot.

  2. Care for Seedlings

    19 Feb – 26 Mar

    Water your young squash plants regularly to keep the compost moist, and pot them on into larger containers if roots fill the pot.

  3. Harden Off Seedlings

    30 Mar – 6 Apr

    Gradually accustom your squash plants to outdoor conditions by placing them outside for increasing time each day over a week or two.

  4. Transplant Outdoors

    6 Apr – 20 Apr

    Once the risk of frost has passed in Barkston Ash, plant out into rich, well-prepared soil in full sun, spacing apart depending on variety.

  5. Ongoing Care

    13 Apr – 11 Aug

    Keep plants well watered, especially during dry spells, and mulch around them to retain moisture. Feed every couple of weeks with a high-potash feed once fruits start to swell.

  6. Train and Prune

    13 May – 12 Jul

    Allow vines to trail naturally, or pinch out growing tips once 4-6 fruits have set to direct energy into ripening them.

  7. Harvest Fruits

    9 Oct – 2 Nov

    Cut mature squashes with a sharp knife, leaving a short stem, when skins are hard and leaves start to die back before first frosts.

Companion Plants

Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Squash.

Good companions

Plants to avoid

Why companion planting matters

Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.

Also in nearby towns

See how Squash timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.