Also known as Squash · 556 saves
Cucurbita
Cucurbita, the genus most gardeners know as squash. We track 9 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 8 most-saved Cucurbita varieties
Browse all 9 Cucurbita varieties →
2 species of Cucurbita
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Cucurbita in Sow
Save the Cucurbita you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Cucurbita
Whats common across all Cucurbita varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 9 most-grown of them.
The Cucurbita year
- HarvestJune–October100% of varieties
Cut winter squash when the rind resists a thumbnail, leaving a few inches of stalk.
- PlantApril and May78% of varieties
Sow seeds or transplant seedlings after the last spring frost date.
- Check for PestsMay–August78% of varieties
Inspect stems and leaves for squash bugs and squash vine borers.
- FertilizeMay–July67% of varieties
Fertilize monthly; switch to high potassium feed once flowering begins.
Do
- Monitor regularly for pests and diseases
- Provide full sun for at least 6 hours daily 🌞
- Give each plant ten feet of run 📏
- Water deeply while fruit swells 💧
- Leave a stalk on cut fruit 🎃
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Sow into cold soil ❌
- Snap fruit off at the shoulder ❌
- Store uncured squash ❌
What goes wrong with Cucurbita
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Squash vine borer | A whole vine wilts suddenly, with sawdust-like frass at a split near the stem base | Slit the stem, remove the grub, then mound soil over the wound so the vine can re-root above it |
| Aphids | Sticky residue and curled leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Squash bug | Bronze speckling and wilting leaves, with bronze egg clusters in rows underneath | Crush egg clusters by hand and trap adults under a board laid on the soil overnight |
| Squash Vine Borer | Wilting vines and empty, damaged stems | Apply organic neem oil or remove infested parts |
| Powdery mildew | White floury patches spreading across the leaves from midsummer, then collapse | Space for airflow, water at soil level and choose resistant cultivars; late infection costs little of the crop |
| Downy mildew | Yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces | Use copper-based fungicide and ensure proper spacing |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery spots on leaves | Use organic fungicides like neem or sulfur |
Making more Cucurbita
Seed
- Sow two seeds per station an inch deep after frost.
- Thin to the stronger seedling.
- Or start in pots three weeks early and plant out undisturbed.
seeds
- Tuck seeds 1 inch deep in soil in early spring
- Keep soil moist for 6 weeks until germination begins
- Transplant seedlings after 2-3 true leaves appear
Cucurbita questions
How many types of Cucurbita are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 9 distinct Cucurbita varieties. The most popular — ranked by 556 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Cucurbita grow in?
Across its varieties, Cucurbita covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Cucurbita bloom?
Most Cucurbita varieties bloom in mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Cucurbita should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.