Spaghetti squash’s pale yellow flesh flakes easily with a fork after baking or steaming, mimicking the appearance of the much-loved long pasta of the same name in a vegetable and gluten-free version. Cylindrical in shape, it measures 25 to 30 cm in length and 12 to 15 cm in diameter when ripe. Another sign that it is ready to be harvested is that it turns from creamy white to buff (light brown or dark yellow). Runner and vigorous plant.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Seeds-   ~25

Difficulty-  Easy

Sowing-  Direct, Indoor

Lifecycle-  Annual

Root cellar-  Yes

Sowing season-  Spring, Summer

GROWING TIPS

Conditions of germination:

depth of sowing: 2.5 cm

optimal temperatures of germination: 21 to 32 ºC

time for germination: 7 to 14 days

When to sow:

sow indoors 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost date in your area preferably in peat pots to facilitate transplanting OR

direct seeding when the soil is warm and the temperature is above 16ºC

Sowing technique: in pocket

In the same hole, sow 3 seeds 1 to 2 cm apart; when the seeds have germinated and the seedlings have reached a height of 5 cm, keep only the best plants.

Transplant outdoors (for seedlings started indoors):

When all risk of frost is removed and the air is warmed.

Distance in the garden:

between plants: 90 cm

between rows: 120 cm

Plant height: 45 cm

Soil: rich, humid, well drained, loose

Exposure: full sun

Days to harvest: 90 to 100 days

Specificities:

For direct seeding, seeds can be sown on a mound of soil and compost and run the plants in opposite directions at ground level.

This plant can crawl on the ground or climb on a support. However, make sure that the plant is stable and solid, even if it means tying the plant and the squash to the support to avoid any breakage.

The squash are ready when the foliage is faded and the fruits are ripe (the color will be fixed and the bark will be hard and difficult to pierce with a fingernail).

Harvest the squash, keeping a 5 cm stem. Dry in the garden for a week if the weather is dry or store under cover in a cool, dry place.