Heirloom

Fordhook Acorn Squash

Cucurbita pepo 'Fordhook'

A superior acorn squash variety developed by Burpee in the 1890s, prized for its consistent acorn shape and exceptional sweet, nutty flavor. Fordhook produces thick-walled fruits with bright orange flesh that becomes incredibly tender and flavorful when roasted. This heirloom variety offers better eating quality than many modern acorn squashes and stores exceptionally well through winter.

Harvest

85-100d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

White-Tailed Deer

☀️

Zones

3–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 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 Fordhook Acorn Squash in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Fordhook Acorn Squash · Zones 3–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Spacing48-60 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with good organic content

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonWarm season

FlavorSweet, nutty, and rich with dense, smooth texture

ColorDark green exterior with deep orange interior flesh

Size1-2 pounds, 4-5 inches long

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	June – July	October – October
Zone 4	—	—	June – July	September – October
Zone 5	—	—	May – June	September – October
Zone 6	—	—	May – June	September – October
Zone 7	—	—	April – June	August – October
Zone 8	—	—	April – May	August – September
Zone 9	—	—	March – April	July – August
Zone 10	—	—	February – April	June – August

Complete Growing Guide

Light: White-Tailed Deer. Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: var. CylindricaZucchini Squash, var. Cylindrica. 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 have edible flesh and some are too hard or insipid to eat, though the seeds of all are edible. Has a harder, thicker stem compared to other species.

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

Garden value: Edible, Showy

Harvest time: Fall

Bloom time: Summer

Storage & Preservation

Properly cured Fordhook acorn squash stores exceptionally well, lasting 3-5 months in ideal conditions. After harvest, cure fruits in warm sunlight (80-85°F) for 7-10 days to harden the skin and heal minor cuts. Store in a cool, dry location (50-55°F) with good air circulation—basements, garages, or root cellars work perfectly.

For preservation, roast cubed flesh at 400°F until tender, then freeze in portions for up to 8 months. The cooked flesh also dehydrates beautifully into chips or powder for soups. You can pressure-can cubed Fordhook following USDA guidelines, though freezing preserves the sweet, nutty flavor better. The seeds make excellent roasted snacks—clean, season, and bake at 300°F for 15-20 minutes. Unlike summer squash, fresh Fordhook doesn't refrigerate well and will deteriorate quickly in cold, humid conditions.

History & Origin

Origin: North America

Advantages

+Fast-growing

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for squash bugs and cucumber beetles, repels aphids

Marigolds

Repels cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and nematodes with strong scent

Radishes

Deters squash vine borers and cucumber beetles, breaks up soil

Corn

Provides natural trellis support and shade, part of Three Sisters planting

Beans

Fixes nitrogen in soil for heavy-feeding squash, completes Three Sisters guild

Catnip

Repels squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and other common squash pests

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control squash pests

Sunflowers

Attracts pollinators essential for squash fruit development

Keep Apart

Potatoes

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

Fennel

Inhibits growth through allelopathic compounds, stunts squash development

Brassicas

Heavy nitrogen feeders that compete directly with squash nutritional needs

Nutrition Facts

Calories

40kcal(2%)

Protein

0.8g(2%)

Fiber

1.5g(5%)

Carbs

10.4g(4%)

Fat

0.1g(0%)

Vitamin C

11mg(12%)

Vitamin A

18mcg(2%)

Iron

0.7mg(4%)

Calcium

33mg(3%)

Potassium

347mg(7%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168472)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good general disease tolerance, typical heirloom resistance levels

Common Pests

Squash bugs, cucumber beetles, squash vine borers

Diseases

Powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, downy mildew

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Fordhook acorn squash take to grow?▼

Fordhook acorn squash requires 85-100 days from seed to harvest, making it a full-season crop. In northern zones, start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost to ensure adequate growing time. Southern gardeners can direct sow in late spring for fall harvest.

Can you grow Fordhook acorn squash in containers?▼

While possible, Fordhook isn't ideal for containers due to its sprawling 10-15 foot vines. If you must container-grow, use a minimum 30-gallon container and provide a strong trellis. Bush acorn varieties work better for container growing than this vining heirloom type.

What does Fordhook acorn squash taste like?▼

Fordhook offers a distinctively sweet, nutty flavor with rich, dense flesh that's smoother and more flavorful than most modern acorn squashes. When roasted, the bright orange flesh becomes incredibly tender with a creamy texture and concentrated sweetness that pairs beautifully with butter and brown sugar.

When should I plant Fordhook acorn squash seeds?▼

Plant Fordhook seeds after soil temperatures reach 65°F, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. For northern zones 3-5, start indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Southern gardeners can direct sow from late May through early June for optimal harvest timing.

Is Fordhook acorn squash good for beginners?▼

Fordhook is moderately beginner-friendly with good disease tolerance and straightforward care needs. However, the long growing season, large space requirements, and occasional need for hand-pollination make compact bush varieties easier for true beginners to manage successfully.

How do you know when Fordhook acorn squash is ripe?▼

Ripe Fordhook develops deep green color with cream ribbing, skin so hard your fingernail can't dent it, and a hollow sound when thumped. The stem begins drying and turning brown, typically 85-100 days after planting. A light frost actually improves the flavor.