SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Lakota

Winter Squash
Zone 3a Save Garden

Planting Schedule

Add Lakota to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.
Botanical illustration of Lakota
100d to harvest

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.

Crop Dates

MilestoneDate
Start IndoorsMay 29th
Last FrostMay 15th
Transplant / Sow OutdoorsJun 12th
Harvest BeginsSep 20th
Harvest EndsSep 1st

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity100
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitVine
Support NeededTrellis
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)70
Min Soil Temp (°F)65
Min Night Temp (°F)55
Harden Off (days)12

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Lakota in Zone 3a typically begins around 2026-06-12. Wait until soil reaches at least 65°F before transplanting Lakota.

Garden Alerts

In Zone 3a, the average last spring frost is around May 15. Watch soil temperature before transplanting Lakota.

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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.
Botanical illustration of Lakota

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.

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Lakota in Zone 3a typically begins around 2026-06-12. Wait until soil reaches at least 65°F before transplanting Lakota.

Garden Alerts

In Zone 3a, the average last spring frost is around May 15. Watch soil temperature before transplanting Lakota.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 65°F and nights stay above 55°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 12 days first.

Direct Sow Preferred

Sensitive roots — does not transplant well. If starting indoors, use biodegradable pots and disturb roots as little as possible when moving outdoors.

Expert Note

Because cucurbits are root-sensitive, start Lakota squash only 1–2 weeks before transplanting (or direct-sow) and transplant after soil warms to prevent stunting.