How to Grow Acorn Squash (Honey Bear F1)

This page talks about how to grow acorn squash using the Honey Bear (F1) as our model.

Unique, small, 1–1 1/4 lb., 4" rounded fruits are just the right size halved for single servings. Honey Bear sets a new standard for taste in acorn squash – deliciously starchy and sweet. C

Days to Maturity: 85 Plant Honey Bear in fertile, composted, well-drained soil. To create transplants, sow in 1 1/2-2" containers or plug trays. Thin to 1-2 plants/cell with scissors. Harden plants 4-7 days by reducing fertilizer, water, and temperature, moving flats outside if there is no frost danger.

Transplant after frost danger, earlier only if plants are to be covered with floating row covers. Transplant about 18" apart. Take care not to disturb roots!

Sow seeds directly in the ground in late spring after frost danger when soil is warm, minimum 70°F. Seeds will rot in cool soil, especially cool, wet soil. Sow 2-3 seeds every 18", 1/2-1" deep; or sow about 6" apart. Thin to 1 plant per spot.

Cucumber beetles can carry bacterial wilt and must be controlled. Gummy stem blight (black rot) causes black, sunken spots to appear on fruits in storage and the tan scabby patches on Butternuts in the field.

Downy mildew may occur in cool, damp weather, powdery mildew in hot, droughty periods and in late summer.

Cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and vine borers can be a challenge. Rotenone and pyrethrin offer some control. Squash bug eggs laid on underside of leaves may be located and crushed.

Keep borders well mowed. For vine borers, use rotenone around the base of young plants. Cut borers out of vines and hill soil over the wound.

Frost kills leaves and can thus facilitate harvest; however, it can also damage fruits and cause spotting and poor storage. Mature fruits can usually tolerate 1 and sometimes 2 or 3 light frosts without substantial damage. Sprinkler irrigation wards off moderate frost damage to fruits.

Before heavy frost, cut stems about 1" from the fruit when stem is drying and skin is hardening. Handle fruits like eggs!

Cure in the field to dry and toughen skins by exposing fruits to sun for 5-7 days or so, covering in the evening if frost is likely. An indoor method of curing is to expose squash to 80-90°F with ventilation for 3-5 days.

Store at 50-55°F (10-13°C), 50-75% humidity, and good air circulation.

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