Crookneck Squash Planting Guide
Yellow crookneck squash is a summer squash with a curved neck and bumpy, bright yellow skin. It has a buttery flavor and is best harvested young when 4-6 inches long.
Cucurbita pepo var. torticollia · Vegetable · Cucurbitaceae family · 45–60 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Crookneck Squash Planting Dates
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Where Can You Grow Crookneck Squash?
Crookneck Squash Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Crookneck Squash planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Jul 24 – Aug 21 |
| Zone 3b | Mar 29 | May 24 | May 31 | Jul 19 – Aug 16 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 25 | May 20 | May 27 | Jul 15 – Aug 12 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | May 15 | May 22 | Jul 10 – Aug 7 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 21 | May 2 | May 9 | Jun 27 – Jul 25 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 14 | Apr 25 | May 2 | Jun 20 – Jul 18 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 6 | Apr 17 | Apr 24 | Jun 12 – Jul 10 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 27 | Apr 10 | Apr 17 | Jun 5 – Jul 3 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 25 | Apr 1 | Apr 8 | May 27 – Jun 24 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 18 | Mar 25 | Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 17 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 8 | Mar 15 | Mar 22 | May 10 – Jun 7 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 28 | Mar 4 | Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 27 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 13 | Feb 10 | Feb 17 | Apr 7 – May 5 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 28 | Jan 25 | Feb 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 19 |
| Zone 10a | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Zone 11a | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Zone 11b | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
How to Plant Crookneck Squash
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 3a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
45–60 days
Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.
👪 Plant Family
Cucurbitaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Cucurbitaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Crookneck Squash
Crookneck Squash matures in just 45–60 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 4 successive plantings by sowing every 5.1 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Crookneck Squash
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Crookneck Squash
Direct sow after last frost on mounds. Pick frequently while small for tender texture. Skin becomes tough and warty on larger fruits. Very productive in warm weather.
Saving Crookneck Squash Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Crookneck Squash by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Crookneck Squash?
Crookneck Squash (Cucurbita pepo var. torticollia) takes 45 to 60 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Crookneck Squash grow in?
Crookneck Squash can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Crookneck Squash need?
Growing Crookneck Squash requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.