Propagation
Sow 2-3 seeds together outdoors in situ when the soil temperature has risen to 16ş C (61ş F) after the last spring frosts in a prepared bed.

Spacing will depend on the plant variety but generally 600 mm (2 ft) to 900 mm (3 ft) apart in rows that 2 m (6 ft) apart. Thin the plants out as required and fertilise regularly throughout growing period.

Note:
Fruit that is supported on mulch or timber is less prone to rot and harvest summer squash before it becomes woody and winter squash before the first frosts in autumn.

Some variations including pumpkin can grow wildly throughout the garden and produce flowers that are normally pollinated by insects but may require hand pollination to ensure that the fruit is set.

Botanic information
Leaf: The variable dark green broad ovate to triangular-ovate leaves are up to 300 mm (1 ft) or more long and wide with an acute to an obtuse apex. The margins are entire to dentate or lobed and the base is commonly cordate with a thick prickly pubescent petiole up to 300 mm (1 ft) long.

Flower: The erect bright yellow female funnelform flowers are up to 140 mm (5˝ in) or more wide with 4-spreading petals with an acute apex. They appear solitary on a thick spiny pedicle during spring and are pollinated by insects. The campanulate male flowers appear solitary or in a small cluster.

Fruit: The very variable fleshy berries ranged from 50 mm (2 in) to 500 mm (20 in) or more in length or diameter. They have a thin or thick outer layer and the inside is fleshy and contains numerous hard seeds.