Whether you bake it, grill it, or use it as a base for soup, acorn squash is a tasty vegetable. Growing them is easy but space can be a problem because they generally take up a lot of the garden. ‘Table King’ is different; it is a compact bush variety, 2’, tall that produces 5-8 squash per plant . The fruits have glossy, dark gray-green ribbed skins on the outside and thick pale orange tasty flesh on the inside. An All American Selection Winner in 1974, ‘Table King’ has stood the test of time and is still popular. Don’t worry about an overabundance of squash because they store well so you can eat them at a leisurely pace. Get out the butter and brown sugar for a healthy taste treat.
Days to Harvest: 70-90
Planting Date: Mid to late spring when soil is warm.
Spacing: 6-8 seeds per hill, thinned to 2-3 plants per hill.
Germination: 10-14 days
Size: Plants 2’ H x 4’ W ; fruits 6” diameter.
Light: Full sun
Water: Consistent moisture required.
Soil: Rich, organic, moist, well drained.
Fertilizer: Side dress with fertilizer such as 5-10-10
Care: Harvest when skins turn the expected color and are hard to the touch and a fingernail will not pierce them. Leave 2” of stem on each fruit for best storage results.
Pests and Diseases: Mildew, squash bug, squash vine borer.
Suitable for containers? No
Karen Meyers