- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
- Learn More
Variety Info
Days to Maturity: 90 days
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Type: Delicata Squash, Winter Squash (Learn more)
Native: United States and Northern Mexico
Hardiness: Frost-sensitive annual
Exposure: Full sun
Plant Dimensions: 9' to 12' vines
Variety Info: 6"–8" long, 3" diameter, and about ¾–1 pounds. Outer shell is ribbed, yellow-tan with green stripes and flecks; flesh is golden orange. Developed by Oregon State University vegetable breeder Jim Baggett in 1988, 'Honey Boat' is a staple of the Oregon Thanksgiving dinner.
Attributes: Frost Sensitive
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: RECOMMENDED. 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, and when soil temperature is 70°–85°F.
When to Start Inside: Not recommended except in very short growing seasons, 2 to 4 weeks before transplanting. Roots are sensitive to disturbance; sow in biodegradable pots that can be planted directly into the ground. Transplant when soil temperature is at least 60°F.
Days to Emerge: 5–10 days
Seed Depth: ½–1"
Seed Spacing: 2–3 seeds per mound
Row Spacing: 4'–6'
Thinning: When 3" leaves, thin to 1–2 per mound
Your hardiness zone is
Growing Info
Harvesting: Harvest when the squash's rind is hard enough that you can't dent it with your fingernail and before first frost. Cut stem, (don't break it off) leaving 2" of stem attached, which keeps the squash whole, leaving no opening for infection. Though fruits are hard and may seem indestructible, treat them gently; bruising can spoil squash.
- Holly C.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars8/15/25Tasty with a zest for life!
It is entirely possible that the first time you taste this squash you will become incredibly angry that it is not available in the grocery store. Then, this plant will quadruple in size, and you will be filled with joy at your abundance of scrumptious squash.
I directly sowed this about 4 weeks after our last frost and had no issues with germination. I spaced them about 2 ft apart with a trellis, but you can see that these plants demanded more room to grow - in early July. It's very prolific - there are 20 uneaten squash on my counter right now and about 10 more to be harvested in the next 3 days. You absolutely will not regret this plant!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests8/15/25Hey Holly,
Thank you so much for sharing your hilarious and spot-on experience with our Honey Boat Winter Delicata Squash Seeds! We absolutely love your description - that moment of "grocery store rage" when you realize what you've been missing is so real! And then the pure joy when you see just how prolific these plants can be - 20 squash on your counter with more coming is exactly the kind of abundance that makes growing your own so rewarding! It sounds like your plants really took off and showed you what they're capable of when they get established. We're thrilled that the germination went smoothly and that you're discovering just how incredible this variety truly is. Your enthusiasm is contagious! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Lauren K.Verified BuyerRated 2 out of 5 stars10/12/242 Stars
These seeds did not survive transplant for me.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate - Bethany M.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars7/31/245 Stars
The Delicata seeds have been thriving and taking over that side of the garden. I finally have some squash popping up. They look suspiciously like melons so hopefully that’s how it’s supposed to look. Whatever it is germinated well and seems very healthy.
Which best describes you as a gardener? Beginner - Cheryl D.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars7/30/245 Stars
These seeds germinated quickly and produced beautiful squash.
- SandraVerified BuyerRated 1 out of 5 stars7/16/241 Star
The seeds are not any good did not make any squash at all