Table King Acorn Squash

Be sure to check out ourWinter Squash Growing Guideto learn how to successfully grow winter squash at home.

Table King Bush Acorn Squash is an heirloom, open-pollinated winter squash variety with a compact plant that produces heavy yields of delicious winter squash. As the name suggests, Table King has a bush growth-habit which is great for compact gardens and small spaces. An AAS winner in 1974, this variety can yield 5-8 fruits per plant.

Table King Bush Acorn Squash produces glossy, ribbed fruits that average 2 lbs with a 5″ diameter. Harvest fruits when the stem hardens and place them in a cool, dry area where they’ll store for 1-2 months. The orange flesh on this winter squash variety is great for roasting or stuffing. Simply cut the squash in half, add a little oil and seasoning, then roast in the oven until tender.

Table King Acorn Squash may be direct-seeded or transplanted, although we highly recommend direct seeding. To ensure a good stand, we recommend planting Seeds every 12″ along the intended row. Once plants emerge, thin plants to one every 2 feet. Winter Squash can be susceptible to plant diseases like downy mildew and powdery mildew if leaves receive excess moisture. As a result, we recommend using drip irrigation on winter squash to reduce plant moisture and feed plants more effectively. During periods of heavy rainfall, using a fungicide like Liquid Copper can help to alleviate disease pressure as well.

Winter Squash is a crop that will produce a one-time harvest at the end of the growing season. They should be harvested when plants die back and the fruits obtain their full color. Stem hardness is also an indication of fruit maturity. Once stems harden, fruits are ready for harvest using a set of pruning shears. Winter Squash can be stored in a cool, dry place for several months, depending on variety and sugar content. Once fruits are harvested, remove the plants from the garden to prevent any fungal spores from overwintering and becoming a problem in future years. Proper crop rotation is extremely important with all pumpkin varieties to reduce disease and pest pressure.

Table King Acorn Squash Planting Information

Planting Method: direct seed

When to Plant: after last frost

Planting Depth: 1/2″

Seed Spacing: 18-24″

Row Spacing: 5-6′

Days to Maturity: 80

Disease Resistance: None