Green Hubbard Squash

Direct sow Green Hubbard squash seeds into warm soil after all frost danger has passed and soil temperature reaches at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit, ideally warmer. Plant seeds 1 inch deep, allowing the full 100 to 109 days until maturity before your first expected fall frost.

Harvest Green Hubbard squash when the rind has hardened completely and turned a deep, dark green; the skin should resist puncture from a fingernail. Mature fruits typically weigh around 12 pounds and feel heavy for their size. Cut the squash from the vine with a few inches of stem attached, then cure the fruit in a warm, dry place for 7 to 10 days to fully harden the rind before storage. The hard, warty exterior is your signal that the squash has reached its peak and is ready for long-term keeping.

Green Hubbard squash, being a vigorous vining plant, benefits from some management to direct energy toward fruit production rather than endless foliage. Once the main vine is established, you can pinch back secondary runners to encourage the plant to focus on developing larger fruits rather than spreading indefinitely. If you're trellising vertically, regular pruning becomes more important to maintain the trained form and prevent excessive shading of developing fruit.