How to grow Squash in Australia
Needs full sun and rich, well drained soil with steady moisture. Water deeply at the base and keep leaves dry to limit mildew.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 8 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 80 cm
- Time to harvest: 65 days
- Time to germinate: 8 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | August to February | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to February | Coastal gardens can sow in August as in SEQ. In hinterland frost pockets wait until September. |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | September to January | Start under cover in late August, or sow direct from September once the soil warms and frost risk is over. Last sowing January. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October to December | Frost tender. Sow direct Oct to Dec once frosts finish in mid September and the soil warms. Same season as zucchini. |
| Adelaide & SA | September to November | Sow Sep undercover or Oct to Nov direct after frost. Same season as zucchini; avoid midsummer sowings into extreme heat. |
| Perth & WA | August to October | Sow Aug to Oct like zucchini. The SEQ style summer sowings arrive too late to establish before the mid November deadline. |
| Tasmania | October to December | Sow Oct to Dec after frost. Button squash crop well in the short warm window. |
| Canberra & ACT | November and December | Frost tender. Sow Nov to Dec after the last frost in early November. Harvest before the April frosts. |
| North Queensland | April to August | Dry season Apr to Aug, same as zucchini. The SEQ spring and summer window lands in the monsoon. |
| Darwin & Top End | April to August | Dry season only Apr to Aug. NT Darwin calendar lists button squash. SEQ baseline of Aug to Feb lands in the build up and monsoon. |
Varieties
- Button (Pattypan)
- Scallopini
- Spaghetti Squash
- Gem Squash
- Yellow Crookneck
Companion planting
Good companions
Avoid planting near
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick summer squash young and tender when the skin still dents under a nail. Cut with a short stem and keep picking, as fruit left to mature slows the plant.
Storage
Summer squash (button) in fridge for up to 1 week. Winter squash (spaghetti, gem) in a cool dry place for 2 to 3 months.