How to Grow Hubbard Squash (Cucurbita maxima): The Hearty Winter Squash for Big Harvests

About Hubbard Squash

Hubbard Squash (Cucurbita maxima) is a heirloom winter squash known for its large, hard-shelled fruits with sweet, dry, orange flesh. These squash can weigh anywhere from 5 to 15 kg and are prized for their excellent storage ability, rich flavor, and nutrient-dense content.

Popular among traditional gardeners and farm-to-table growers, this squash is perfect for soups, pies, roasting, and baking. It also makes an eye-catching addition to any garden due to its massive size and distinctive warty skin.

Why Grow Hubbard Squash?

There are plenty of reasons to grow this nutrient-rich winter squash:

• Produces massive, long-lasting fruits perfect for winter use
• High in beta-carotene, fiber, and vitamins A and C
• Stores well for up to 5–6 months
• Ideal for organic, heirloom gardening
• Excellent for cooking, baking, and even animal feed

For those who want to grow satisfying, large-scale produce, Hubbard Squash is unmatched.

When to Plant

Hubbard Squash needs a full warm season:

• Start seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before the last frost
• Direct sow outdoors when temperatures stay above 18°C (65°F)
• Plant between March and June, depending on climate

Early planting ensures mature fruits before the first frost.

Where to Plant

Give this vigorous vine plenty of space and sun:

• Choose a full sun area (6–8 hours of sunlight)
• Use well-drained, fertile soil enriched with aged compost
• Ideal soil pH: 6.0 to 6.8
• Requires ample space for long vines to sprawl (minimum 4–5 feet between hills)

Best grown in large garden plots or open farm beds.

How to Plant

Follow these steps for healthy plants:

1. Sow 2–3 seeds per hill, 1 inch deep
2. Thin to the strongest plant per hill after germination
3. Space hills 4–6 feet apart
4. Water deeply at the base of each plant
5. Add mulch to retain moisture and control weeds

For transplanting, ensure seedlings are 3–4 weeks old and hardened off.

How to Care

With proper care, Hubbard Squash vines thrive:

• Water regularly, especially during flowering and fruiting
• Feed every 3 weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer
• Watch for pests like squash bugs and vine borers – use neem spray or row covers
• Hand-pollinate if bees are scarce
• Avoid overhead watering to reduce fungal risk

Rotate crops yearly to reduce disease pressure.

Companion Plants

Helpful companions include:

• Corn and beans – the Three Sisters method
• Marigold and nasturtium – natural pest repellents
• Avoid planting near potatoes which compete for nutrients

Good companions enhance pollination and plant vigor.

Harvesting

Proper harvesting ensures long storage:

• Harvest when the rind is fully hardened and has turned dull
• Cut with pruning shears, leaving 2 inches of stem
• Cure in the sun for 7–10 days, then store in a cool, dry space
• Do not wash before storage

A properly cured squash can last through winter.

Uses

Hubbard Squash is a culinary favorite:

• Roasted, mashed, or pureed for soups and pies
• Great for baby food, breads, and curries
• Nutrient-rich feed for poultry or cattle
• Seeds can be roasted for a protein snack

Its rich, sweet flavor deepens with storage, making it ideal for winter meals.

Final Thoughts

Hubbard Squash is a robust, productive, and rewarding crop that delivers bulk nutrition, seasonal storage, and versatile kitchen uses. For gardeners aiming to grow large, satisfying vegetables with long shelf life, this variety is a must.

Order premium Hubbard Squash seeds now from dharaseeds.com and enjoy a harvest you’ll feel proud of and full from.