Delicata Squash
Cucurbita pepo 'Delicata'
This cream-colored winter squash with distinctive dark green stripes has edible skin when cooked, earning it the nickname 'sweet potato squash.' The compact vines are perfect for smaller gardens, and the sweet, nutty flesh rivals butternut squash in flavor while being much easier to prepare. Its unique appearance and exceptional taste make it a farmer's market favorite.
Harvest
95-105d
Days to harvest
Sun
White-Tailed Deer
Zones
3–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Delicata Squash in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 vine →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Delicata Squash · Zones 3–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
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
History & Origin
Origin: North America
Advantages
- +Fast-growing
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Nasturtiums
Trap crop for squash bugs and cucumber beetles, repels aphids
Marigolds
Repel cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and nematodes
Radishes
Deter squash vine borers and cucumber beetles, improve soil structure
Beans
Fix nitrogen in soil to benefit heavy-feeding squash
Corn
Provides vertical structure and wind protection for sprawling vines
Catnip
Repels squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and ants
Dill
Attracts beneficial predatory insects that control squash pests
Sunflowers
Attract pollinators essential for squash fruit production
Keep Apart
Potatoes
Both are heavy feeders competing for nutrients, may harbor similar pests
Brassicas
Heavy nitrogen competition and may be stunted by squash's large leaves
Aromatic herbs
Strong scents from sage, rosemary may inhibit squash growth
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Moderate resistance to powdery mildew
Common Pests
Squash bugs, cucumber beetles, vine borers, squash vine borer
Diseases
Powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, black rot