VegetableSquash
Table Queen Acorn Squash
Table Queen Acorn Squash is a bush-type winter squash that delivers compact plants with an outsized harvest of deep forest-green, single-pound fruits ready in roughly 80 to 90 days. Unlike sprawling vine squashes, this variety stays contained while producing that classic acorn shape with bright yellow flesh inside, making it a natural fit for smaller gardens across hardiness zones 3 through 13. Plant it in full sun, space it properly, and you'll have richly colored squash at your fingertips just as fall arrives.
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
12 in
Height
48 in
Width
TypeBush
Spacing
18
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3-13
Size
12in H x 48in W
Growth
—
Care
High
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Highlights
The real draw here is how Table Queen squash manage to produce full-sized, storage-worthy fruit on compact bush plants rather than sprawling vines. The forest-green rinds develop that deep, appetizing color as they ripen toward the first frost, and the bright yellow interior signals sweetness and readiness for roasting. At just one pound per fruit, each squash reaches perfect single-serving or small-family-meal proportions, making them far easier to handle and store than larger winter squashes. Home gardeners prize this variety specifically because it fits into tight spaces without sacrificing yield or that classic acorn flavor.
Common Uses
Table Queen acorn squash is roasted whole or halved and filled with savory or sweet preparations, making it a centerpiece vegetable for autumn and holiday tables. The mild, slightly sweet flesh accepts both butter and sage in traditional preparations or can be stuffed with grains, proteins, and vegetables for heartier meals. Many gardeners grow this variety specifically for its single-serving size, which suits smaller households and makes presentation easier than cutting into a massive winter squash.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors two to three weeks before your last frost date if you want a head start. Transplant seedlings into the garden after frost danger has passed and soil has warmed.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings into hills spaced 6 feet apart with 3 plants per hill, or in rows 36 inches apart. Plant after the last frost date when soil is warm and settled.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds after frost danger has passed. Plant in hills or rows at the spacing noted above.
Harvesting
Harvest Table Queen acorn squash when the rinds have turned dark green and the skin resists puncture from a fingernail. This typically occurs around 80 to 90 days after planting, timed to just before the first frost arrives. Cut squash from the vine with a sharp knife, leaving a short stem attached, and store in a cool, dry, dark place where they'll keep for up to two months.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Cucurbita pepo var. turbinata
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Cucurbita
Growth Habit
Bush
Native Status
L48 (NI)PR (I)CAN (W)