Days to Maturity: 85 direct sow; 70 transplant
All-America Selections (AAS) Winner 2021
Edible and ornamental, Goldilocks, an F1 hybrid acorn squash, is a fruit vegetable. The plants set small yellow flowers followed by uniform 4-inch x 4-inch round to oval bright orange fruits, weighing approximately 1 pound each. The vibrant orange flesh has a great texture and a rich, robust, sweet, and nutty flavor. It is good fried or baked and can also be used in pastas and soups. Acorn squash is low in calories, brimming with fiber, and packed with nutrients. It is an excellent source of B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium.
This herbaceous annual is a member of the cucurbit family (Cucurbitaceae). Goldilocks has a compact, bushy, mounding habit and grows vigorously. Heavy yielding, each plant produces approximately 10 squashes.
Easily grown from seed, Goldilocks prefers full sun and fertile, organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained loams with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. The plant is resistant to powdery mildew. Monecious, it does not need a second plant for pollination, but it may be helpful to plant bee-attracting plants, like marigolds and zinnias, nearby to ensure pollination.
A warm-season vegetable, sensitive to cold temperatures and frost, squash seeds can be direct sown into warm spring soil after all danger of frost has passed but can also be started indoors about 3 to 4 weeks before transplanting. Flowers begin to set fruit with day temperatures between 68 to 72°F and night temperatures between 60 and 65°F. Mulching helps to moderate soil temperature and to maintain soil moisture. Protect plants with row covers if temperatures are expected to dip below 50°F.
If you plan to start your seeds indoors, be sure to check out our Bio Dome Seed Starter Kit. With the Bio Dome, you can control the temperature, light, and soil mix to ensure your seeds become strong for transplant.
