Chicago Warted Hubbard

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Sink your spoon into Chicago Warted Hubbard’s rich, deep-orange flesh—silky-smooth with a subtly sweet, nutty perfume that lingers like warm autumn air.

The fruit forms a dramatic, heavily warted shell in a deep, mottled green that turns beautifully at maturity, with a dense, spoonable texture prized for hearty winter fare. Grow it for bold, statement squash that stores exceptionally well, turning your pantry into a season-long centerpiece for savory roasts, creamy purées, and robust sauces.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of Chicago Warted Hubbard

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 23rd
Harvest Begins	Aug 26th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	85
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Chicago Warted Hubbard leans into that winter-squash sweet spot: dense and spoonable, with a nutty aroma that holds up through long heat. It purées into a silky coat—perfect for thick, spoonable soups and sauces rather than watery, thin soup squash.

Best Uses

roasted wedges where the flesh caramelizes and stays custardy
thick purée for soups and ravioli filling—no watery slide
slow-reduced squash bisque or velouté for a satin mouthfeel
robust winter braises where it absorbs stock and spices

Flavor Profile

silky-smooth, dense spoonable flesh subtly sweet, nutty squash perfume warm, savory roasting sweetness with a clean finish

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter sage coconut milk garlic smoked paprika parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely to hit Cucurbita maxima (Chicago Warted Hubbard), and what should I do?

Watch for powdery mildew and squash vine borers. Powdery mildew often shows as a white-gray dusting on leaves in mid-to-late season—improve airflow, remove heavily infected leaves early, and avoid wetting foliage when you water. For vine borers, check the stems near the soil line for frass and boreholes; if found, slit the stem carefully, remove the borers, and re-mound soil around the base to encourage new rooting.

How often should I water Cucurbita maxima during the main growing phase?

During flowering and fruit set, keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy—about 1 to 2 inches of water per week total, increasing during hot spells. Water deeply at the base in the morning so the root zone gets moisture while the leaves stay dry, and allow the top few inches of soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent rot.

How can I tell when Chicago Warted Hubbard squash is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the rind is fully tough and the skin is hard enough that you can’t easily puncture it with your fingernail. The fruit should have turned from deep green to the mature color of the variety, the vines start to decline, and you should see the typical 95-day maturity window as your guide; cure the squash in a warm, dry place for about a week to improve storage.