VegetableSquash
Table King Bush Acorn Squash
Table King Bush Acorn Squash is a compact, space-saving winter squash that earned an All-America Selections award in 1974 for good reason. This open-pollinated heirloom produces dark green, deeply ribbed fruits weighing 1 to 2 pounds each, loaded with thick, sweet orange flesh that tastes even better as it stores. Ready to harvest in 70 to 80 days, it thrives in zones 3 through 13 and reaches just 24 to 30 inches tall, making it one of the few winter squashes that actually fits in small gardens and containers without taking over.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Growth Stats
30 in
Height
TypeBush
Spacing
36
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-13
Size
30in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The real draw here is what you get from such a compact plant. Each bush produces 5 to 8 uniform squash per season, and unlike sprawling acorn varieties, Table King stays contained enough to tuck into raised beds or even large pots. The flesh is notably fiberless and sweet with a nutty character that deepens in storage, and each squash is the perfect size for roasting in half or stuffing whole. An AAS Award winner for 50 years running, it delivers the flavor depth of a true winter squash without demanding half your garden.
Common Uses
Table King shines roasted in halves and stuffed with grains, vegetables, or meat, the small size means each person gets their own perfect serving without waste. The thick, sweet flesh also works beautifully in soups, purees, and gratins where you want that nutty, slightly dense texture. Because the fruits are compact and store exceptionally well, home cooks can harvest a season's worth and eat from them through winter, making it a go-to for preserving autumn's bounty without freezing or canning.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Sow seeds directly into the garden 1 inch deep in warm soil after the last frost date, when soil temperature reaches at least 70°F. Plant in groups of 3 to 4 seeds per hill, spacing hills 36 inches apart.
Harvesting
Harvest acorn squash when the skin is completely dark green and has a dull finish rather than a glossy sheen, typically 70 to 80 days after sowing. The squash should feel heavy for its size and resist pressure from your thumbnail. Cut the fruit from the vine with a sharp knife, leaving 1 to 2 inches of stem attached. Pick all mature squash before the first hard frost, as frost damage cuts storage life dramatically.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Cucurbita pepo
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Cucurbita
Growth Habit
Bush
Native Status
L48 (NI)PR (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“Table King Bush Acorn earned its All-America Selections Award in 1974, a recognition that speaks to its revolutionary approach to small-space gardening. Before this variety, winter squash meant sprawling vines that demanded serious square footage. Table King changed that equation by breeding the vining habit out of the acorn squash while keeping every bit of the flavor and storage quality that made acorn squash a kitchen staple. It arrived at exactly the right moment, when urban gardeners and those with limited space were hungry for vegetables that didn't require acres to grow.”