Growing Acorn Squash in Containers and Pots

Don’t let limited space keep you from enjoying delicious home-grown acorn squash! No matter the size of your garden, we’ll show you how to produce a bountiful acorn squash crop in containers all season long.

The Best Container Size for Acorn Squash

The first thing to consider when growing acorn squash in a container is what kind of pot you’re going to use.

Acorn squash have a fairly large root system, so it’s important they have ample room to grow. When in doubt, five-gallon buckets (or a container of similar size) are a great option for acorn squash. But if you’re looking to get technical, a good rule of thumb is to aim for a container that is roughly 1,155 cubic inches (18,927 cubic centimetres) in size.

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The Best Type of Container for Acorn Squash

Plastic pots, terracotta, and fabric grow bags all make fine containers for acorn squash. When choosing a pot to plant acorn squash in, the type of material it’s made out of doesn’t really matter. What does matter, however, is how well that material releases excess water.

Poor drainage is the number one killer of acorn squash grown in pots. If your acorn squash sit in standing water for too long, their roots will rot and the plants will likely wither away.

If you’re using a plastic container for growing acorn squash, it’s crucial there are 2 - 4 holes in the bottom to allow excess water to drain.

Terracotta pots, along with fabric grow bags, are a great container option for acorn squash because they are naturally porous. Most terracotta pots also come with a hole in the bottom for additional drainage.

If growing your acorn squash in grow bags, be sure to test how well they drain before planting. If water doesn’t leak through the bag quickly, you may want to add one or two holes to the bottom to keep the roots of your acorn squash plant healthy and happy.

The Best Soil for Growing Acorn Squash in Containers

Drainage also plays a key part in the type of soil you choose for acorn squash containers.

Traditional soil, such as the type of dirt you can dig up in your backyard, is much too dense for acorn squash planted in pots. It will trap moisture in the container to the point where it can cause fungal issues for acorn squash as well as root rot.

Instead, opt for potting soil or soil specifically designated as safe for container gardening. Avoid all others.

Final Tips for Growing Acorn Squash in Pots

Hopefully by now you’ve seen that growing acorn squash in pots is pretty easy so long as you have the right container and right soil.

The key, as stated before, is drainage. You will likely notice that acorn squash grown in containers are much thirstier than acorn squash grown in a traditional garden bed. Be sure to adjust your schedule to water more frequently.

Of course, the same rules apply to container grown acorn squash that apply to acorn squash grown in a traditional garden, such as the amount of sunlight they need and when to plant them. You can find that information (and more!) in our complete guide on growing acorn squash.

Happy planting!