Yellow Crookneck Squash
Cucurbita pepo 'Crookneck'
vegetableThe classic American summer squash: bright yellow with a characteristic curved neck and bumpy skin. Harvest young at 6 to 8 inches for tender, sweet flesh. One of the most productive plants in any vegetable garden; a few plants will feed an entire family through summer.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 3 days
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Harvest
~50 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
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Spacing
24-36 in
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Planting Depth
1 in
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 10
Grown as an annual. This range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
At planting with compost; side-dress with nitrogen-balanced fertilizer when plants start vining
Fertilizer
Balanced 10-10-10 or compost; avoid high nitrogen which causes excessive leaf growth
🌱 Growing Guide
Direct sow after last frost when soil is above 65 F, or transplant 3-week-old starts. Space generously because plants are large and bushy. Hand-pollinate in the morning if fruit sets poorly, using a small brush to transfer pollen from male to female flowers. Pick every 2 to 3 days. Fruits left past 10 inches become seedy and less palatable and slow future production.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Mar 25
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
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Projected first harvest
Jun 18
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Corn: Three Sisters planting: corn provides shade, squash suppresses weeds
- Beans: Fixes nitrogen; three sisters partner
- Nasturtium: Aphid trap crop; deters squash bugs
- Marigold: Deters squash bugs and beetles
❌ Keep away from
Potato
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Row cover until flowering; wrap stem base in aluminum foil early in season; Bt injection into stem
Handpick adults and egg masses on leaf undersides; eliminate plant debris; diatomaceous earth
Kaolin clay spray; row cover; beneficial nematodes in soil
Increase spacing; neem oil or potassium bicarbonate spray at first sign
🌾 Harvest & storage
Best at 6 to 8 inches with smooth, glossy skin. Skin should be tender enough to nick with a fingernail. Older fruits have tougher skin and larger seeds. Pick daily in peak season and share with neighbors. Production can be overwhelming. Store at room temperature for 2 to 3 days.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Low in calories, good source of vitamin C, B6, and potassium. Yellow skin provides lutein and zeaxanthin antioxidants that support eye health.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.