Heirloom

Spaghetti Squash

Cucurbita pepo

This excellent open-pollinated strain's flesh has the best noodle-like consistency in our trials. Slightly sweet, nutty flavor. Oblong in shape with ivory skin that changes to pale yellow at maturity. An excellent pasta alternative - bake or boil, fork out the flesh, and top the "spaghetti" with your favorite sauce. Short vines. Avg. weight: 3-5 lb.

Harvest

88d

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 Spaghetti Squash in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 squash →

Zone Map

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Spaghetti Squash · Zones 3–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Spacing36-48 inches between plants

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with good organic content

pH6.0-6.8

Water1-1.5 inches per week, deep watering preferred

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorMild, slightly sweet, neutral flavor that takes on other flavors well

ColorPale yellow to golden when ripe

Size3-5 lb.

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

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

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

Store whole spaghetti squash in a cool (50-55°F), dry location with good air circulation—basements, garages, or pantries work well. Properly cured squash keeps 2-3 months, sometimes longer. Check stored squash monthly and use any showing soft spots immediately.

Once cut, refrigerate unused portions for up to one week. For long-term preservation, cook the squash first, scrape out the strands, then freeze in portions for up to 8 months. Cooked spaghetti squash strands freeze excellently and maintain their texture when thawed.

Dehydrating works well for long-term storage—blanch strands briefly, then dehydrate until crispy. Rehydrate in soups or casseroles. Avoid canning spaghetti squash as the low acid content requires pressure canning, and the texture becomes mushy. For best results, focus on proper fresh storage and freezing cooked portions.

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

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

Radishes

Repels squash vine borers and cucumber beetles, breaks up soil

Beans

Fixes nitrogen in soil to benefit heavy-feeding squash plants

Corn

Provides natural trellis support and shares similar growing conditions

Catnip

Repels squash bugs, aphids, and cucumber beetles effectively

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, may harbor similar fungal diseases

Fennel

Inhibits growth of squash through allelopathic compounds

Melons

Attract same pests like cucumber beetles and compete for growing space

Nutrition Facts

Calories

31kcal(2%)

Protein

0.64g(1%)

Fiber

1.5g(5%)

Carbs

6.91g(3%)

Fat

0.57g(1%)

Vitamin C

2.1mg(2%)

Vitamin A

6mcg(1%)

Vitamin K

0.9mcg(1%)

Iron

0.31mg(2%)

Calcium

23mg(2%)

Potassium

108mg(2%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169298)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good disease resistance when grown in proper conditions

Common Pests

Squash bugs, cucumber beetles, vine borers

Diseases

Powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, squash mosaic virus

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does spaghetti squash take to grow?▼

Spaghetti squash requires 90-110 days from planting to harvest. In shorter growing seasons (zones 3-5), start seeds indoors 2-3 weeks before the last frost to ensure adequate growing time. The long season is necessary for fruits to develop their characteristic hard shell and stringy interior texture.

Can you grow spaghetti squash in containers?▼

Growing spaghetti squash in containers is challenging due to their vigorous vining habit and space requirements. If attempting container growing, use a minimum 20-gallon container with strong support for trailing vines. Bush-type varieties work better for containers, though yields will be significantly lower than garden-grown plants.

Is spaghetti squash good for beginners?▼

Yes, spaghetti squash is excellent for beginning gardeners. It has clear harvest indicators, tolerates some neglect once established, and produces reliably with basic care. The main challenges are providing adequate space and protecting from vine borers, but overall it's more forgiving than many other vine crops.

When should I plant spaghetti squash?▼

Plant spaghetti squash when soil temperature reaches 65°F consistently, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In northern climates, start seeds indoors in late April or early May for transplanting in late May or early June. Planting too early in cool soil leads to poor germination and stunted growth.

What does spaghetti squash taste like?▼

Spaghetti squash has a mild, slightly sweet, and neutral flavor that readily absorbs other ingredients. The texture is more important than taste—when cooked, the flesh separates into crisp, pasta-like strands. Its subtle flavor makes it an excellent vehicle for sauces, seasonings, and other strong flavors in recipes.

How do you know when spaghetti squash is ripe?▼

Ripe spaghetti squash turns deep yellow or cream-colored with a hard, glossy shell that resists fingernail pressure. The ground spot should be creamy yellow, and the fruit should produce a hollow sound when thumped. The stem appears dry and woody, beginning to separate naturally from the vine.