Table Ace

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Sink your spoon into Table Ace’s velvety, fine-grained flesh—sweet, gently nutty, and richly aromatic once cured.

The rind develops a handsome, deep-toned shell with a sturdy, dependable texture that holds beautifully for winter storage, while the interior turns luxuriously smooth for standout purées and hearty baked favorites. Grow Table Ace for a showy harvest that brings both pantry confidence and garden pride to your season’s end.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 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 21st
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
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

Table Ace’s fine-grain, velvety interior purée into a smooth, spoonable texture without turning grainy or watery, so it shines in soups and sauce work. Its gently nutty sweetness and aromatic finish love browned fats and warm spices—treat it like the centerpiece, not just a filler.

Best Uses

silky purées for soups and pasta sauces
roasting or baking until spoon-tender for caramelized edges
custardy baked casseroles and squash soufflé-style bakes
thickening base for risotto-style dishes

Flavor Profile

sweet, gently nutty flavor velvety, fine-grained flesh luxuriously smooth when puréed richly aromatic, winter-squash depth sturdy rind for storage-ready structure

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter sage cinnamon smoked paprika ginger creamy cheeses like ricotta

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem is most likely on Cucurbita pepo (Table Ace), and how do I control it?

In Cucurbita pepo, powdery mildew often shows up as a white, dusty coating on leaves, especially in warm weather with reduced airflow. Start by watering at the base so foliage stays dry, and remove the most affected lower leaves to slow spread. If it’s spreading, use a labeled fungicide for cucurbits and spray early in the day so coverage reaches both leaf sides.

How often should I water Cucurbita pepo during its main growth phase?

During active vine and fruit growth, keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week, split into 1–2 deep waterings. Water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, and avoid frequent light sprinkling that encourages leaf disease. If plants start wilting midday but recover by evening, adjust to deeper, less frequent irrigation rather than daily shallow watering.

How can I tell when Table Ace (Cucurbita pepo) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the fruit has reached the typical full size for your packet and the rind is firm enough that it resists denting from a fingernail. For best eating quality, check maturity over 90 days from sowing and pick on a dry day so the fruit stays clean and stores better. If you’re unsure, slice a test fruit—seeds should be mature enough to fully developed, but the flesh should still be tender rather than tough.