Guide on growing the delicious, nutritious Spaghetti Squash. Includes sun requirements, when to plant in your area, and tips for harvesting a bountiful crop.
Soil
What soil is good for Spaghetti Squash?
Spaghetti Squash prefers rich, well draining soil with plenty of compost mixed in.
Position
How much sun does Spaghetti Squash need?
Plant Spaghetti Squash vines in a full sun position.
Frost Tolerant
Is Spaghetti Squash frost tolerant?
No, Spaghetti Squash vines are not frost tolerant.
Spacing
How much space does Spaghetti Squash need?
Plant Spaghetti Squash vines roughly 60cm apart.
Planting
When should I plant Spaghetti Squash?
Spaghetti Squash is a warm season crop that is best planted in spring once the danger of frost has passed.
Seeds are quick to germinate and can be direct sown once the soil has warmed to roughly 20°C (68°F).
Feeding
What do I feed Spaghetti Squash?
Feed your Spaghetti Squash vines with a regular application of organic fertiliser throughout the season.
Harvesting
When can I harvest Spaghetti Squash?
Mature fruit is generally ready for harvest when it has completely changed from green to an orange colour and the vine that is attached to the fruit begins to brown and die back.
When ripe, your finger nail should not be able to pierce through the skin.
Cut off the the Squash from the vine, leaving at least a few centimeters of stalk attached.
Allow the skins to harden by placing the squash in a sunny spot (below 30°C/86°F) for a week before storing them.
Pests
What pests does Spaghetti Squash get?
Pests that affect Spaghetti Squash include: Aphids, Armyworm, Cabbage Looper, Cucumber Beetle, Cutworm, Flea Beetle, Squash Bug, Squash Vine Borer, Thrips, Spider Mite, 28 Spotted Ladybug.
Diseases
What diseases does Spaghetti Squash get?
Diseases that affect Spaghetti Squash include: Leaf Blight and Leaf Spot, Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew, Fusarium Crown and Root Rot, Gummy Stem Blight, Verticillium Wilt, Bacterial Wilt, Aster Yellows, Mosaic Virus, Phytophthora Blight.
Notes
Is there anything else I need to know about Spaghetti Squash?
Spaghetti Squash vines as well as their fruit will grow quite large. Trellising is a great way to save space and will also reduce the incidence of powdery mildew due to increased air-flow.
Spaghetti Squash fruits can be quite heavy, so it's important that your trellis can handle the weight of the fruit. Occasionally the fruit may need some support so that it does not weigh too heavily on the vine.
If you have ample space, Spaghetti Squash can grow along the ground the same way as a pumpkin vine.
Spaghetti Squash are Warm Season Crops