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Winter Squash
Cucurbita maxima
Still time — sow latefruit
Large winter squash species including Hubbard, Buttercup, Banana, and many pumpkin types. Vigorous warm-season vine that produces hard-skinned fruit for long winter storage.
In Zone 7b, right now
Still time to plant — it should mature before frost
The usual direct sow window (Mid April – Mid May) has closed, but with about 110 days to harvest there's still enough season left. Get it in now.
Edible?
Yes — fruit
Small space?
Needs ground space
Sun
Full sun (6+ hrs)
Comes back yearly?
No — replant each year
Harvest in
110 days
Ways to plant it
Start seeds indoors
Past the ideal window — still time
Early to Mid March
Start seeds in trays now; they only need a few weeks indoors before they go straight out into the warm soil.
Direct sow
Past the ideal window — still time
Mid April – Mid May
Plant seeds straight into the ground (or a container) outdoors.
Transplant
Past the ideal window — still time
Early to Late April
Buy a young plant from a nursery, or move one you started indoors, into the ground or a pot.
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