Harvest Your Own Noodles: 5 Steps to Growing Delicious Spaghetti Squash
 
Spaghetti squash is a versatile and healthy vegetable known for its unique flesh that separates into "spaghetti-like" strands when cooked.  Growing this delicious gourd from seed is a straightforward and rewarding process, perfect for gardeners of all levels.  This guide outlines five essential steps to successfully planting and caring for your spaghetti squash plants, from selecting the right time to sow to ensuring a plentiful harvest.  Follow these tips to enjoy the satisfaction of serving your very own homegrown, low-carb 'pasta'.
 
Planting Instructions:
 
Timing: Plant spaghetti squash seeds directly outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up.  The soil temperature should be at least 15°C.  In cooler climates, you can start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last frost date.
 
Sowing: Plant seeds in a sunny location with rich, well-draining soil.  Create small mounds of soil about 2-3 feet apart and plant 2-3 seeds per mound, about 1 inch deep.  This method provides good drainage and gives the vines room to spread.
 
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during germination and when the plants are flowering and fruiting.  Water deeply at the base of the plant to avoid getting the leaves wet, which can prevent fungal diseases.
 
Thinning:
Once the seedlings have emerged and are a few inches tall, thin them to the strongest plant per mound.  This ensures that the remaining plant has enough space and nutrients to grow large and healthy.
 
Harvesting: Spaghetti squash is ready for harvest when the skin is hard and a deep yellow or orange colour.  The stem should also be dry and woody.  Cut the squash from the vine, leaving a few inches of stem attached.  This improves its storage life.
 
Spaghetti squash, or Cucurbita pepo, is native to Mexico and Central America and is a variety of winter squash.  The pulp and flesh look like spaghetti noodles, which is what inspired the name.  Spaghetti squash is easy to grow and provides a wealth of essential nutrients, such as vitamins A and C.  Once the danger of frost has passed, you can safely sow the seeds or plants and harvest in a few short months.
 
5 x seeds