Lakota

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Sink your spoon into Lakota’s richly sweet, deep-orange flesh—silky and velvety in texture, with a warm, nutty perfume that lingers long after the first bite.

This 100-day winter squash forms substantial, well-ribbed fruits with a sturdy, long-keeping skin, making it a dependable centerpiece for cool-season harvests. Lakota shines in roasted wedges, hearty purées, and spoonable sauces, and its dense flesh also lends itself beautifully to comforting pies and savory bakes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 100 DaysHabit: Vine

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	May 9th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 23rd
Harvest Begins	Aug 31st
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	100
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	12

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Lakota’s dense, velvety flesh turns spoon-smooth instead of grainy, so it works when you want a thick, luxurious purée or sauce without thinning. Roast it hard for deep caramel notes, then lean into warm spices and browned fats—its nutty perfume sticks around like a good campfire story.

Best Uses

roasted wedges with crisped edges for caramelized sweetness
silky purée that holds body in soups and nappé-style sauces
spoonable squash sauces for gnocchi or pasta
comforting pies and savory bakes where it bakes up smooth

Flavor Profile

richly sweet, high-sugar squash flavor silky, velvety flesh with low fiber drag warm nutty aroma lingering roasted-sweet finish

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter cinnamon sage smoked paprika maple syrup parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Cucurbita maxima (Lakota squash), and how can I control it at home?

Cucurbita maxima is commonly hit by squash vine borer, which causes wilting and sudden vine collapse near the base. Look for frass at the crown, then split the damaged stem and remove larvae, covering the area with fresh soil to encourage new roots. Use row cover on young plants and apply a Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) product labeled for caterpillars before the borer’s peak if available in your area.

How often should I water Cucurbita maxima during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

During flowering and fruit set, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week depending on rainfall and heat. Water deeply at the base, then let the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil dry slightly before watering again to reduce root stress and fruit rots.

How do I know when Lakota (Cucurbita maxima) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the rind is fully tough and hard enough that you can’t easily dent it with a fingernail, and when the stem begins to dry and turn corky. The fruit color should look uniformly mature (often duller and more filled out than early growth), typically around 100 days after sowing. Cut the squash with 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) of stem attached and cure it in a warm, dry spot afterward if you plan to store it.