The Best States to Grow Honey Bear Acorn Squash

Honey Bear acorn squash is a hybrid variety prized for its small, single-serving size, sweet flavor, and resistance to powdery mildew. Its compact size makes it ideal for small gardens, and it thrives in various climates across the United States. If you’re looking for the best states to grow Honey Bear acorn squash, the following regions offer optimal conditions for a healthy, bountiful harvest.

1. California

California’s diverse climate makes it one of the best states for growing Honey Bear acorn squash. The long growing season, abundant sunshine, and fertile soils provide ideal conditions for this heat-loving variety. The Central Valley and Southern California are particularly well-suited for growing Honey Bear squash, with their warm summers and minimal risk of frost.

  • Growing season: March to November, depending on the region
  • Best regions: Central Valley, Southern California

2. Florida

Florida’s warm, subtropical climate offers excellent growing conditions for Honey Bear acorn squash. With two growing seasons—spring and fall—gardeners in Florida can plant squash early in the year or late summer for a fall harvest. The state’s well-drained, sandy soils are ideal for squash, and Honey Bear’s resistance to mildew makes it a great choice in Florida’s humid environment.

  • Growing season: February to May, and September to December
  • Best regions: Central and Northern Florida

3. Texas

Texas’ hot summers and long growing season make it another top state for growing Honey Bear acorn squash. The variety thrives in the warm weather, especially in regions like Central and South Texas, where there’s plenty of sun and space for vines to spread. Honey Bear’s disease resistance helps it withstand Texas’ humid conditions, ensuring healthy plants throughout the season.

  • Growing season: March to November
  • Best regions: Central and South Texas

4. Georgia

Georgia’s warm climate and well-drained soils create ideal conditions for Honey Bear acorn squash. With hot summers and mild winters, the state offers a long growing season that allows the squash to fully develop. The compact size of Honey Bear makes it suitable for smaller garden spaces in Georgia’s suburban and rural areas.

  • Growing season: April to October
  • Best regions: Central and Southern Georgia

5. North Carolina

North Carolina’s hot, humid summers are perfect for growing Honey Bear acorn squash. The state’s loamy and sandy soils provide excellent drainage, and the long growing season ensures a successful harvest. In North Carolina, you can plant squash in late spring and expect a bountiful harvest by late summer or early fall.

  • Growing season: April to October
  • Best regions: Coastal Plain, Piedmont

6. South Carolina

South Carolina’s climate closely mirrors that of North Carolina, making it an equally good location for growing Honey Bear acorn squash. The state’s warm, humid weather provides the right conditions for this squash variety, while Honey Bear’s resistance to powdery mildew makes it particularly suited to South Carolina’s climate. Gardeners can plant Honey Bear in the spring for a late summer or early fall harvest.

  • Growing season: April to October
  • Best regions: Coastal and inland regions

7. Virginia

Virginia is another excellent state for growing Honey Bear acorn squash. Its temperate climate, with warm summers and mild autumns, offers ideal growing conditions. The state’s loamy soils are well-suited for squash, and the long growing season allows Honey Bear to thrive. The variety’s compact size also makes it a good option for urban and suburban gardens.

  • Growing season: April to October
  • Best regions: Southern and Central Virginia

8. Tennessee

Tennessee’s hot summers and moderate rainfall make it a good state for growing Honey Bear acorn squash. With its disease-resistant traits, Honey Bear can withstand Tennessee’s occasional humidity, ensuring healthy plants. The state’s long growing season allows the squash to fully mature before the cooler autumn months set in.

  • Growing season: April to October
  • Best regions: Central and Southern Tennessee

9. Ohio

Ohio’s cooler climate may not seem ideal for all varieties of squash, but Honey Bear’s short growing season (85-90 days) makes it an excellent choice for this state. Ohio’s fertile soils and moderate summer temperatures provide the right balance for growing healthy squash. By planting in early summer, gardeners can expect a harvest before the first frost.

  • Growing season: May to September
  • Best regions: Central and Southern Ohio

10. Oregon

Oregon, particularly in the southern part of the state, offers a favorable climate for Honey Bear acorn squash. The mild summers and long growing season, especially in the Willamette Valley, provide ideal conditions for squash. Honey Bear’s resistance to mildew makes it well-suited to Oregon’s occasionally humid summers.

  • Growing season: May to October
  • Best regions: Southern Oregon, Willamette Valley

Growing Tips for Honey Bear Acorn Squash

To ensure a successful Honey Bear acorn squash crop, follow these tips for planting and care:

1. Planting Time

Honey Bear acorn squash should be planted after the last frost when soil temperatures reach at least 60°F. In most of the states listed, this means planting in late spring to ensure a summer or early fall harvest.

2. Soil and Sunlight

Acorn squash, including Honey Bear, thrives in well-drained, fertile soil. Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting to provide nutrients for the growing plants. Full sunlight is essential for robust growth, so plant your squash in an area that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

3. Spacing

Honey Bear acorn squash plants are compact compared to other squash varieties, but they still need space to spread. Plant seeds or seedlings about 3-4 feet apart to allow the vines room to grow.

4. Watering

Water deeply and consistently throughout the growing season, especially during fruit development. Be sure to water at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the leaves, which can contribute to mildew issues.

5. Pest and Disease Control

One of Honey Bear’s key strengths is its resistance to powdery mildew, a common issue with squash plants. This variety is also relatively resistant to pests, but keep an eye out for common squash bugs and cucumber beetles. You can use insecticidal soap or row covers to protect your plants if pests become a problem.

6. Harvesting

Honey Bear acorn squash is ready for harvest when the skin is hard and dark green, and the stem starts to dry out. Cut the squash from the vine, leaving about 1-2 inches of stem attached. This helps with long-term storage, allowing you to enjoy your squash for several months after harvest.

Growing Honey Bear acorn squash can be a rewarding experience in many U.S. states, especially those with warm climates, long growing seasons, and well-drained soils. Whether you’re gardening in California, Florida, or Ohio, this disease-resistant and compact variety will produce sweet, delicious squash perfect for roasting, baking, or storing for winter meals. With proper care and attention, Honey Bear acorn squash can be a versatile addition to any garden.