Nothing beats the rich, sweet flavor of baked winter squash on a chilly, autumn day. 'Table King' is great for short seasons or late spring planting; it is early maturing for a winter squash. Compact, 4' vines are great for small gardens or even large containers, and they are so easy to grow from seed! A 1974 All-America Selections winner.

Variety Info

• Days to Maturity: 80 Days
• Family: Cucurbitaceae
• Native: United States and Northern Mexico
  
• Plant Dimensions: Vine
  

Sowing Info

• When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is 70°–85°F.
• When to Start Inside: Not recommended except in very short growing seasons, 2 to 4 weeks before transplanting. Roots are sensitive to disturbance; sow in biodegradable pots that can be planted directly into the ground. Transplant when soil temperature is at least 60°F.
• Days to Emerge: 5 – 10 Days
• Seed Depth: ½" – 1"
• Seed Spacing: 3' – 4'
• Row Spacing: 2 – 3 seeds per mound
• Thinning: When 3 leaves, thin to 1 – 2 plants per mound

Growing Info

• Harvesting: Harvest when the squash's rind is hard enough that you can't dent it with your fingernail and before first frost. Cut stem, (don't break it off) leaving 2" of stem attached, which keeps the squash whole, leaving no opening for infection. Though fruits are hard and may seem indestructible, treat them gently; bruising can spoil squash. Look for pollen-producing flowers that have long stems and harvest just before use (fruit-producing flowers have a very small, developing squash at the base of the flower and shorter stems).