What's the Difference: Winter Squash vs Summer Squash?

Summary

Summer squashes have thin, soft skin, while winter squashes have thicker skin and denser flesh with larger seeds.
Plant summer squash a few weeks before winter squash due to different germination preferences.
Store summer squash for a week in the fridge and winter squash for several months at specific temperatures and humidity levels.

Squash is a highly versatile and nutritious vegetable that comes in various shapes, sizes, and flavors. You can grow two distinct types of squash in your garden: winter squash and summer squash. Learning about these two types of squash can help you create a bountiful harvest in your backyard.

Learn the fundamental differences between winter squash vs summer squash, including the growing requirements, harvest times, and storage.

Plant Type and Texture

The visual differences in types of squash

Different types of gourds and squash — Squash and gourds on a table

Generally, summer squashes grow as a bush or weak vine, while winter squashes grow as vining plants.

Zucchini, yellow squash, and pattypan are common summer squash varieties, while butternut, delicata, and honeynut are common winter squash varieties.

Summer squashes generally have thin, edible skin, and their flesh is quite soft and delicate, with a mild, sweet flavor. Winter squashes, on the other hand, generally have thicker skin, with exceptions like delicata, which has thin skin. Their flesh is denser and often sweeter than summer squashes, with larger seeds. Summer squashes typically have smaller seeds than winter squashes.

Summer squashes usually have a cylindrical or bulbous shape and can be straight or slightly curved. On the other hand, winter squash generally has a more round or oblong shape. However, there are some exceptions. For example, some summer squash varieties, like crookneck squash, can have a curved shape, while some winter squash varieties, like delicata squash, have a more elongated shape.

Planting Times and Soil Conditions

When should you start growing these gourds?

Person planting in the soil — Planting seeds in the ground

The ideal temperature to plant both summer and winter squash is when the soil temperature is at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit, with no danger of frost. However, winter squash germinates best in warmer soils (around 70 degrees Fahrenheit or more). So, in general, you should plant summer squash a few weeks before sowing winter squash.

You can grow summer and winter squash in the ground (rows and hills) or containers. Spacing between the plants depends on whether you are growing a bushy or vining variety.

Growing Method	Winter Squash vs Summer Squash		Growing Tips
In the Ground	When growing bushy varieties in the ground, sow seeds 15 to 18 inches apart in rows 4 to 6 feet apart.	In the case of vining plants, plant the seeds 12 to 18 inches apart at a distance of 6 to 12 feet between rows to allow the vines to spread.	You may also provide additional support for growing vines vertically, such as with a trellis.
Hills	You can also grow squash in hills, small mounds of soil built to create a raised planting area to give the roots more space to grow. For growing summer squash, plant four to six seeds per hill and space the hills 3 to 4 feet apart.	For winter squash, plant two to three seeds per hill and space the hills 4 to 6 feet apart. Once the plants grow about 2 inches tall, keep the strongest seedling per hill.	Once the plants grow about 2 inches tall, remove two to three weak seedlings to allow the remaining stronger plants more space and resources to grow and mature (this is a common garden practice known as thinning).
In Containers	If you are growing summer squash in pots, you will need containers of 4 to 6-gallon capacity with a depth of 8 to 12 inches.	For winter squash, bigger containers of 8 to 10 gallons with a depth of at least 12 to 16 inches are suitable. Grow one plant per container.	Container-grown squash can be placed indoors or outdoors as long as basic care requirements for the plant are met!

Fertilizing Squash Plants

Keeping garden veggies healthy

Person fertilizing soil — Adding fertilizer to the soil

Squash plants thrive in fertile, well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.

To improve soil fertility and structure, you can add compost, aged manure, or other organic materials. However, both winter and summer squash may need additional fertilization for a healthy yield.
Choose a fertilizer based on the soil type. Otherwise, use a general-purpose fertilizer, like 10-10-10. Generally, the application of fertilizer is split into two parts. First, when planting, and second, when the plant starts flowering or producing vines.
It generally takes summer squash about 35 to 45 days to blossom post-planting, while winter squash can take slightly longer. Thus, it varies as to when you need to make the second fertilizer application.

Winter Squash vs Summer Squash Harvest

Learn how to harvest squash the right way

Squash ready to harvest in the garden — Squash plants ready for harvest

Generally, summer squashes are harvested when young and tender, at about 60 days after planting, when they are 4 to 7 inches long. However, this depends on the variety.

Winter squash is harvested in around 80 to 120 days when the fruit is entirely mature and has developed a hard skin that can resist fingernail scratches.

Harvest summer squash every other day to promote new growth.

Winter Squash vs Summer Squash
Storing Winter Squash	After you harvest the winter squash, leave it for about 10 to 14 days in a warm, dry place with a temperature between 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a heated cabinet or garage for this.	Use a small fan to maintain proper ventilation in the storage area.	Once cured, store the winter squash at a cool temperature.
Storing Summer Squash	You can store summer squash for up to a week at 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.	Wash the fresh summer squash in cold water to remove soil particles.	Then, dry the squash and store in the refrigerator inside a sealed plastic storage bag or an airtight container to lock in the moisture. If you want to keep summer squash longer, store them in dry, frozen, or pickle form.

You can store thick-skinned winter squashes for several months at 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and a relative humidity of 75 percent. However, the shelf-life of winter squashes differs according to their variety. For instance, butternut squash can be stored for two to three months, while sweet meat squash can be stored for up to four to six months.

According to the Oregon State University, before storing the winter squash, dip them in 135 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit water for about three minutes to sterilize the fruit and keep them in a cool environment immediately.

The squash storage area should be well-ventilated, so the moisture does not build up on the fruit and deteriorates it. Store winter squash on shelves rather than cold floors, or it will deteriorate rapidly. Do not store winter squash near ripening fruits as they release ethylene gas, making the squash turn yellow and decreasing its shelf-life. Also, keep checking the winter squash periodically for any signs of decay and discard immediately if you find this present.

Winter Squash vs Summer Squash: Squashing the Confusion

While winter and summer squash are delicious and nutritious vegetables, they have some key differences. Summer squash has tender, fleshy skin, while winter squash has a thicker covering. They have different planting times, spacing requirements, and storage needs.

By understanding these differences, you can make informed decisions on growing and caring for your squash plants at home!