Winter Squash Seeds,
Honey Boat Delicata

Plant Honey Boat Delicata squash after the last frost in spring. In cooler climates, start seeds indoors about 3-4 weeks before the last frost date, then transplant them outside once the seedlings are a few inches tall and the soil has warmed up. This squash typically takes around 105 days to mature. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

Direct sow seeds in mounds spaced 2 feet apart 1/2-1” deep, with rows spaced 6 feet apart. Plant 3-5 seeds per mound, thinning to the two strongest plants once they’ve germinated. If transplanting seedlings, place them in holes about twice as wide as the root ball, ensuring ample space for the roots to spread.

Honey Boat Delicata squash needs consistent moisture, with deep watering of 1-2 inches per week. Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal diseases, and mulch around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Fertilize every other month with a low-nitrogen fertilizer, such as a 5-10-10 mix, to support fruit development.

• There are four different species of squash: Cucurbita maxima, C. pepo, C. moschata, and C. mixta. They will not cross pollinate with each other, so it is possible to grow one of each species for seed saving without worrying about cross pollination.
• If you are planning to grow several varieties of more than one species, you can bag the blossoms and hand pollinate to avoid crossing.
• Whether it is a summer or winter squash, you must let the fruit completely mature before extracting the seeds, and cure for at least two weeks.
• Scoop the seeds, place them in a bucket, and add just enough water to cover. Let sit at room temperature to ferment for two days before rinsing off the pulp.
• Lay seeds out to dry on newspaper or paper plates.
• Stored in a cool, dry place, seeds will remain viable for up to four years.