Hybrid

Autumn Colors Cushaw

Cucurbita mixta

Wikimedia Commons

Unusual, tri-colored fruits have green bottoms, light orange tops, and white stripes from top to bottom. Avg. 4-10 lb. Great for decorating.

Harvest

105d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

5–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-5 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Autumn Colors Cushaw in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 squash →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Autumn Colors Cushaw · Zones 5–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing18-24 inches

SoilWell-drained loam with organic matter, neutral to slightly acidic

WaterRegular, 1-2 inches per week

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorGreen, orange, and white tri-colored

Size4-10 lb.

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	June – July	October – October
Zone 4	—	—	June – July	October – October
Zone 5	—	—	May – June	September – October
Zone 6	—	—	May – June	September – November
Zone 7	—	—	April – June	September – October
Zone 8	—	—	April – May	August – October
Zone 9	—	—	March – April	July – September
Zone 10	—	—	February – April	July – August
Zone 1	—	—	July – August	November – August
Zone 2	—	—	June – August	November – September
Zone 11	—	—	January – March	June – July
Zone 12	—	—	January – March	June – July
Zone 13	—	—	January – March	June – July

Succession Planting

Cushaw squash takes 105 days to harvest and keeps producing on the same vine through the season, so there's no real case for staggered sowings — one planting is all most gardens need. Direct sow in zone 7 between April and June; a June sowing will push harvest to October, right at the edge of first frost. Put your effort into getting that single planting in the ground early rather than spreading it across multiple rounds.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet, 3 feet-6 feet, 6-feet-12 feet, 12-24 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

A type of berry called a pepo that has a hard rind. Fruits may be long or round, large or small, smooth or warty. Some species and cultivars are edible and some are not; among the edible ones, both fruit and seeds are edible.

Color: Black, Blue, Cream/Tan, Gold/Yellow, Gray/Silver, Green, Orange, Pink, Red/Burgundy, Variegated, White. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.

Garden value: Edible, Long-lasting, Showy

Harvest time: Fall

Storage & Preservation

Harvest Autumn Colors Cushaw squash at full maturity (around 105 days) when the skin has hardened completely and the stem has dried. Store whole fruit in a cool, dry location between 50–60°F with moderate humidity, ideally on shelves or in crates with good air circulation; properly cured squash keeps 2–3 months under these conditions. For longer storage, cure the fruit in a warm spot (75–80°F) for 7–10 days before moving to cool storage to harden the skin further.

Fresh shelf life typically extends 8–12 weeks when stored optimally. For preservation, roast and freeze the flesh in portions for winter cooking, or can puree following tested USDA guidelines using a pressure canner. Drying thin slices in a dehydrator yields excellent chips. The dense, fine-grained flesh of this variety freezes exceptionally well compared to other Cucurbita mixta types, retaining quality for up to a year with minimal textural breakdown.

History & Origin

Autumn Colors Cushaw is an F1 hybrid developed through controlled cross-pollination. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: North and South America

Advantages

+Striking tri-colored appearance makes these fruits ideal for fall decoration.
+Long 105-day season allows adequate maturity for vibrant color development.
+Cushaw genetics provide good storage capability and decent culinary versatility.
+Unusual white striping and color combination creates unique visual appeal.

Considerations

-Moderate difficulty rating suggests special care requirements for home gardeners.
-Cushaw squashes susceptible to powdery mildew in humid growing conditions.
-Weight range of 4-10 lbs creates inconsistent yields and sizing.
-Extended 105-day season demands long frost-free growing period and patience.

Companion Plants

Corn and beans pair well with any large cushaw for reasons that are mostly mechanical: corn stalks give wandering vines something to brush against, and beans fix nitrogen in the top 6 inches of soil where cushaw roots do most of their foraging. The cushaw's wide leaves do real work too — they shade out weeds and slow moisture loss from the soil surface. Nasturtiums and marigolds are worth tucking in 12–18 inches off the main vines. Nasturtiums pull aphids away from the cucurbit foliage, and marigolds are thought to disrupt the host-finding behavior of cucumber beetles, which matter here because cucumber beetles are the primary vector for bacterial wilt (Erwinia tracheiphila).

Potatoes are the companion to keep out of the same bed entirely — they compete for the same nutrients and share overlapping fungal disease pressure, so putting them together just stacks your risk. Aromatic herbs like rosemary and sage can suppress germination and slow early root development in cucurbits when planted inside 3 feet, so give those some distance.

Plant Together

Corn

Provides vertical support for vining squash and creates beneficial microclimate

Beans

Fix nitrogen in soil that feeds heavy-feeding squash plants

Radishes

Repel squash bugs and cucumber beetles while breaking up soil

Nasturtiums

Trap crop for squash bugs and cucumber beetles, repels aphids

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and squash bugs with their strong scent

Catnip

Deters squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and other cucurbit pests

Sunflowers

Attract beneficial insects and provide windbreak protection

Oregano

Repels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain moisture

Keep Apart

Potatoes

Compete for space and nutrients, both are heavy feeders with similar root zones

Brassicas

Inhibit squash growth and attract pests that may spread to squash

Aromatic herbs

Strong herbs like sage can inhibit squash seed germination and growth

Nutrition Facts

Calories

26kcal(1%)

Protein

0.52g(1%)

Carbs

5.64g(2%)

Fat

0.2g(0%)

Vitamin C

4.5mg(5%)

Iron

0.17mg(1%)

Calcium

9mg(1%)

Potassium

205mg(4%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168040)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Squash vine borers, cucumber beetles, squash bugs

Diseases

Powdery mildew, downy mildew, bacterial wilt

Troubleshooting Autumn Colors Cushaw

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Wilted vines with a sawdust-like frass at the base of the stem, usually noticed mid-summer

Likely Causes

Squash vine borer (Melittia cucurbitae) — larvae tunnel into the stem base after eggs hatch in July
Planting too late in the season, per NC State Extension IPM guidance on timing

What to Do

1.Slit the stem lengthwise where you see the entry hole, extract the larva, and mound soil over the wound to encourage re-rooting
2.Direct sow as early as your last frost allows so vines are well-established before July egg-laying peaks
3.Next season, cover young plants with row cover until female flowers open, then remove for pollination

White powdery coating on the upper surface of leaves, spreading from older leaves inward, typically after day 60

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew — a fungal disease common across cucurbits in warm, dry weather with cool nights
Dense canopy that limits airflow between vines

What to Do

1.Remove and trash the most heavily coated leaves — don't compost them
2.Spray remaining foliage with a diluted potassium bicarbonate solution or neem oil; repeat every 7–10 days
3.Space vines at least 18–24 inches apart at planting so air can move through the canopy

Sudden, total vine collapse — plant looks fine one day, completely dead the next — with no obvious stem damage

Likely Causes

Bacterial wilt (Erwinia tracheiphila), spread by cucumber beetles (Acalymma vittatum and Diabrotica undecimpunctata)
High cucumber beetle pressure early in the season before plants are established

What to Do

1.Pull and discard the plant immediately — there is no recovery from bacterial wilt once it's systemic
2.Control cucumber beetles with row cover on young transplants or seedlings, removing it only at flowering
3.Confirm bacterial wilt by cutting a stem near the base and slowly pulling the two ends apart — a sticky thread between them is a positive ID

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Autumn Colors Cushaw squash take to mature?▼

Autumn Colors Cushaw squash reaches maturity in approximately 105 days from planting. This moderate timeframe makes it suitable for most growing seasons with adequate warmth and sunlight. Harvest when the fruits develop their characteristic tri-colored pattern with deep green bottoms and light orange tops, typically in late summer to early fall.

Is Autumn Colors Cushaw good for beginners?▼

Autumn Colors Cushaw is rated as moderate difficulty, making it suitable for gardeners with some experience. It requires full sun (6+ hours daily), consistent care, and proper spacing. While not the easiest variety for complete beginners, it's approachable for those willing to learn proper squash cultivation techniques and pest management.

Can you grow Autumn Colors Cushaw in containers?▼

Cushaw squash varieties grow quite large and sprawling, making traditional containers challenging. However, large containers (20+ gallons) with sturdy trellising can work for space-limited gardens. The vines need significant room to spread, so in-ground planting is generally recommended for best results and fruit development.

When should I plant Autumn Colors Cushaw seeds?▼

Plant Autumn Colors Cushaw after the last frost date when soil temperatures reach at least 70°F. Direct sowing is preferred, planting seeds ½-1 inch deep in warm soil. In cooler climates, start indoors 4-6 weeks before your last frost and transplant seedlings after hardening off. Space plants 18-24 inches apart.

What makes Autumn Colors Cushaw unique as a decorative squash?▼

The striking tri-colored fruit pattern—with green bottoms, light orange tops, and distinctive white vertical stripes—makes Autumn Colors Cushaw exceptional for fall decorating. Averaging 4-10 pounds, these fruits are perfect for porch displays and autumn arrangements. Their unusual appearance combined with decent storage makes them both ornamental and practical.

How much water does Autumn Colors Cushaw need?▼

Cushaw squash requires regular, consistent watering, especially during fruit development and hot periods. Water deeply at the base of plants 1-2 inches per week, depending on rainfall and temperature. Avoid overhead watering to reduce disease risk, and maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging to support healthy fruit growth.