Sweet REBA

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Sweet REBA brings a velvety, honeyed sweetness with a tender, fine-grained flesh that turns luxuriously creamy when roasted.

Its compact acorn form is easy to grow and beautifully uniform, with a deep, glossy green shell that frames a warm, golden interior—ideal for showcasing in hearty winter-style dishes, from caramelized wedges to silky purées and spoonable sauces.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Vine

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

Crop Dates

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

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
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)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Sweet REBA’s fine-grained flesh roasts into something almost custard-like, so you want high-heat caramelization and minimal watery additions. It’s the kind of squash that turns a simple herb-and-fat combo—sage and browned butter—into the main event.

Best Uses

roasted acorn wedges with browned edges and spoonable interiors
silky roasted squash purée for custardy sides or ravioli filling
thick, velvety spoon-sauces (simmered with stock and blended)
caramelized chunks in savory-sweet sheet-pan roasting

Flavor Profile

velvety, honeyed sweetness tender fine-grained flesh caramelized, nutty roasted notes creamy puree texture with mild squash aromatics

Kitchen Pairings

sage brown butter maple cinnamon cayenne smoked paprika

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Cucurbita pepo (acorn-type squash), and how do I treat it in my garden?

Cucurbita pepo is commonly hit by squash vine borers and powdery mildew. For vine borers, inspect plants at the base weekly and remove any frass-stuffed entry holes, then mound soil over the crown and keep leaves covered; for powdery mildew, remove heavily infected leaves early and space plants to keep foliage dry, treating with a labeled sulfur fungicide if needed.

How often should I water Cucurbita pepo during the 45-day growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I keep?

During active growth and especially once plants start forming flowers and small fruit, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch of water per week total, increasing during hot spells. Water at the base in the morning so leaves stay dry, and let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent stressed, disease-prone vines.

How can I tell when my Cucurbita pepo (acorn-type) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 45 days when the rind is fully colored for the variety and the skin is hard enough that you can’t easily dent it with a fingernail. Use a sharp knife to cut with 1–2 inches of stem attached; if the stem is still green and the fruit feels tender, give it a few more days.