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Winter Squash
Cucurbita maxima
Still time — sow latevegetable
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 9b, right now
Still time to plant — it should mature before frost
The usual direct sow window (Early to Late March) has closed, but with about 110 days to harvest there's still enough season left. Get it in now.
Edible?
Yes — vegetable
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
Mid January – Early February
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
Early to Late March
Plant seeds straight into the ground (or a container) outdoors.
Transplant
Past the ideal window — still time
Late February – Mid March
Buy a young plant from a nursery, or move one you started indoors, into the ground or a pot.
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