How to Grow Table King Bush Acorn Squash
Cucurbita pepo 'Table King Bush'
Table King Bush Acorn Squash is a compact warm-season variety prized for its sweet, nutty flavor and bushy habit that saves space in gardens. Gardeners value this hybrid for its reliable production of dark green fruits perfect for roasting or stuffing.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Table King Bush Acorn Squash: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Table King Bush Acorn Squash is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently for germination.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. As a warm-season crop, you must wait until after the last spring frost when the ground is warm to sow directly outdoors. Do not start indoors; sowing seeds 1 inch deep yields germination in 7 to 14 days. Starting too early risks damage from cold soil or frost.
Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart to allow vines room to spread without overcrowding. This bush variety generally does not require trellising, but keep the area weed-free. Water deeply once a week with 1 to 2 inches of moisture, reducing frequency as fruits mature. Apply mulch around the base to retain soil heat and conserve water.
Watch for squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and vine borers; row covers or hand-picking help manage these pests. Prevent powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, and downy mildew by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest the bush acorn squash 85 to 95 days after planting when the rind hardens.
When to Plant Table King Bush Acorn Squash
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | July – August | November – August |
| Zone 2 | — | June – August | October – September |
| Zone 3 | — | June – July | 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 |
| Zone 11 | — | January – March | May – July |
| Zone 12 | — | January – March | May – July |
| Zone 13 | — | January – March | May – July |
Companion Plants for Table King Bush Acorn Squash
✓ Good companions
Fixes nitrogen in soil for squash, completes Three Sisters companion system
Strong repellent for squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and aphids
Provides vertical structure and shade, part of traditional Three Sisters planting
Deters cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and nematodes with natural compounds
Acts as trap crop for squash bugs and cucumber beetles, repels aphids
Repels cucumber beetles and provides ground cover to retain soil moisture
Repels squash vine borers and cucumber beetles, breaks up soil
Attracts beneficial insects and provides windbreak protection
✗ Keep away from
Plants like sage and rosemary can inhibit squash growth through allelopathy
Heavy feeders that compete for nutrients, may stunt squash development
Competes for nutrients and space, may harbor similar soil-borne diseases
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
