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Volunteer squash - acorn and hybrids #876899

Asked July 11, 2024, 9:24 PM EDT

I started converting grass to native plants along the front walkway but used my own compost and got a wonderful patch of squash and/or melons. Can you please help me identify them? I grew spaghetti squash last year, but these are not all spaghetti squash. Thanks!

Montgomery County Maryland

Expert Response

The latter two resemble acorn squash's shape, but we cannot say for sure what they are. Hybrid crosses can occur among squash (pollen transfer among plants in your own garden or even from another person's garden that bees have visited). Further, even seeds from store-purchased squashes can sometimes germinate in compost. Volunteer squashes (all members of the cucurbit family) are edible. It may be "pot-luck" as to their flavor, texture, and overall eating quality.

This page on our website provides some additional information: Vegetables Not True to Type

Christa

Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 12, 2024, 12:30 PM EDT
Thanks Christa! I’m relieved to hear they will be edible.  I just hope none of the many critters get to sample them before we do.

Janice



On Friday, July 12, 2024, 12:30 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied July 12, 2024, 7:53 PM EDT
You're welcome.
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied July 12, 2024, 9:48 PM EDT

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