Table Queen

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Sink your spoon into Table Queen’s sweet, golden flesh—silky and richly aromatic, with a gentle nutty depth that feels like autumn in every bite.

This acorn squash forms compact, well-balanced fruits with a deep green, lightly mottled skin that roasts to a tender, spoonable texture and shines in hearty winter preparations. Grow Table Queen for reliable, storage-ready winter squash that’s as beautiful on the counter as it is satisfying on the table.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Vine

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 11th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 24th
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)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Table Queen’s golden flesh roasts into a tender, spoonable consistency that turns silky fast—so you want flavors that hug it: browned fat, herbs, and a little sweetness. It carries a soft nutty note without tasting watery, making it ideal for puree-thick soups and sturdy stuffed squash halves.

Best Uses

halved-roast and spoon-eat with browned butter and sage
puree for silky soups or velvety gratins
cubed roasting for sheet-pan caramelization
stuffed acorn cups with sausage, wild rice, or lentils

Flavor Profile

silky, spoonable sweetness gentle nutty depth warm, squashy aromatics tender roasted flesh with minimal fibrous grit

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter sage maple syrup smoked bacon toasted pecans Greek yogurt

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease problem for Cucurbita pepo (Table Queen) and how do I prevent it?

Powdery mildew is a frequent issue on Cucurbita pepo, showing up as a gray-white dusting on leaves that can reduce fruit fill. Improve airflow by spacing plants properly and watering the soil (not the leaves) so foliage stays drier. At the first signs, apply a labeled fungicide that targets powdery mildew and repeat as directed, especially during humid stretches.

How often should I water Cucurbita pepo during peak growth, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

During the main vine and fruit-building phase, keep the root zone consistently moist but not soggy—about 1–2 inches of water per week depending on heat and soil type. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry, then allow excess water to drain rather than keeping the area constantly wet. Uneven watering can lead to poor fruit sizing and stress-related issues.

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

Harvest at full maturity after roughly 90 days, when fruits have reached their final size and the skin is firm and hard to dent with a fingernail. The stem should be dry and the rind should look fully colored for the variety. Cut fruit from the vine with a sharp knife, leaving 1–2 inches of stem for better storage.