VegetableSquash
Table Gold Squash
Table Gold Squash is a compact, golden acorn-shaped summer squash bred by Dr. Oved Shifriss that matures in 90-99 days, making it weeks earlier than traditional vining squash varieties. Each plant produces 3-4 fruits weighing 1-2 pounds with buttery, nutty flesh that's remarkably tender. Hardy from zones 3 to 13 and reaching just 24-30 inches at maturity, it thrives in full sun and performs well in gardens with limited space, earning a solid reputation as both a home gardener's delight and a reliable market seller.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
3-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Growth Stats
30 in
Height
Spacing
36
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-13
Size
30in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
High
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Highlights
This is a squash bred specifically for the impatient gardener. The fruits mature earlier than vining types by weeks, yet each compact plant cranks out 3-4 golden acorn squashes in a single season. The flesh is exceptionally tender with a distinctive nutty flavor and buttery character that sets it apart from standard summer squash. Its modest 24-30 inch sprawl makes it genuinely practical for small beds, containers, or tight garden spaces where traditional squash would take over.
Common Uses
Table Gold is prepared and eaten as a summer squash, typically roasted, steamed, or baked whole or halved. The tender flesh and buttery texture make it excellent for side dishes, and its small individual size (1-2 pounds) suits single servings or small households perfectly. Its reliability as a market crop also means it appears regularly at farmers markets where its attractive golden color and quality appeal to home cooks.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date when soil temperature reaches at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Harden off transplants by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before planting. Space plants 36 inches apart in full sun.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last spring frost when soil temperature is reliably 60 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. Plant seeds 1 inch deep in groups of 2-3 seeds, spacing groups 36 inches apart.
Harvesting
Table Gold squash is ready to harvest 90-99 days after planting. Pick fruit when the skin is fully golden and firm to the touch, and the squash reaches 1-2 pounds in weight. Harvest by cutting the stem with a sharp knife rather than twisting the fruit from the plant. Regular harvesting encourages continued fruit production throughout the season. Immature squash can be eaten as tender summer squash, while fully mature fruit has the most developed nutty flavor.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Cucurbita pepo
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Cucurbita
Native Status
L48 (NI)PR (I)CAN (W)
History & Origin
“Table Gold was created by Dr. Oved Shifriss, a plant breeder who engineered this variety to solve a real problem: gardeners wanted the flavor and visual appeal of acorn squash without the space-hungry vines and long growing season. His work resulted in a compact, early-maturing cultivar that brought quality and productivity within reach of home gardeners and small-scale growers who couldn't accommodate traditional squash varieties.”