Spark

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Spark to a garden.

Aromas of sun-warmed squash rise from the garden as Spark’s miniature pumpkins ripen to a vivid, lantern-bright glow—sweet, rich, and pleasantly nutty.

The fruits are compact and firm with a smooth, satin-skinned rind that deepens in color as the season turns, holding their shape beautifully for roasting and hearty autumn preparations. Grow Spark for showy, harvest-ready color and for versatile use in seasonal roasts, purées, and spiced preserves—an edible centerpiece that’s as satisfying to grow as it is to serve.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 95 DaysHabit: Vine

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Spark Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Jul 6th	Jul 20th	Oct 23rd – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Jun 26th	Jul 10th	Oct 13th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Jun 26th	Jul 10th	Oct 13th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Jun 30th	Jul 14th	Oct 17th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Jun 26th	Jul 10th	Oct 13th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Jun 24th	Jul 8th	Oct 11th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Jun 19th	Jul 3rd	Oct 6th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Jun 15th	Jun 29th	Oct 2nd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Jun 12th	Jun 26th	Sep 29th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Jun 6th	Jun 20th	Sep 23rd – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Jun 1st	Jun 15th	Sep 18th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	May 22nd	Jun 5th	Sep 8th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	May 13th	May 27th	Aug 30th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	May 4th	May 18th	Aug 21st – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Apr 17th	May 1st	Aug 4th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Mar 23rd	Apr 6th	Jul 10th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	95
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	70
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	12

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

These miniature fruits are built for high-heat cooking: their firm, shape-holding flesh caramelizes on the outside while going luxuriously soft where the cube meets the pan. Use them like you would a small roasting squash—thick purées, jammy spice preserves, or a tight, flavorful center that doesn’t collapse into watery pulp.

Best Uses

cubed roasting for caramelized, cube-hugging edges
roasted purée for thick, spoonable autumn sauces
spiced preserves or jammy chutney-style spreads
stuffed mini-pumpkin halves for a showy oven centerpiece

Flavor Profile

sweet, sun-warmed squash flavor firm, satin-skinned flesh that roasts up creamy at the edges pleasantly nutty finish holds shape without turning watery

Kitchen Pairings

cinnamon sage brown butter maple syrup smoked paprika parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Cucurbita pepo (squash types like “Spark”), and what should I do if I see it?

For Cucurbita pepo, squash vine borers and powdery mildew are common. Check vines near the soil line for sawdust-like frass and wilting; remove and destroy infested sections and protect nearby stems with a soil collar to help prevent new egg-laying. If you see powdery mildew (white, dusty patches on leaves), improve airflow with wider spacing and remove heavily infected leaves early so it doesn’t spread through the canopy.

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

During active vine growth and fruit filling, water deeply enough to moisten the root zone, typically about 1 inch per week total (more in hot, windy weather). Water at the base in the morning and keep leaves as dry as possible to reduce mildew risk. Don’t let the soil stay waterlogged—Cucurbita pepo prefers consistently moist but not soggy soil, so adjust when drainage is slow.

How can I tell when Cucurbita pepo (about 95 days) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruit skin is fully colored and hard enough that you can’t easily dent it with a fingernail. Look for the days-to-maturity window (around 95 days) plus a drying, corky stem—cut with a sharp knife and leave a short stem attached. For best eating quality, don’t wait until the vines start to fully collapse; harvest before the fruit over-ripens on the plant.