Squash
Spaghetti squash
Spaghetti squash: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
Spaghetti squash belongs to Cucurbita pepo, a species in the cucurbit family. Its name refers to flesh that separates into spaghetti-like strands after cooking. This feature sets it apart from squashes whose flesh becomes mainly soft and smooth or lends itself to purées. It belongs to the group eaten when mature, commonly called winter squash. That term describes the fruit’s use rather than a plant that grows through winter.It is a frost-sensitive annual, usually with a trailing habit. Its long stems carry large green leaves, with varying degrees of lobing, and tendrils. The generous foliage and yellow flowers give it a prominent presence in the vegetable garden. Male and female flowers are separate but occur on the same plant, and insects help transfer pollen between them. Plant shape and spread vary with the selection; a general squash name does not define the dimensions of every variety.The fruits are usually oval…
