Acorn squashes mature much earlier and have much shorter vines that most winter squashes. The acorn squashes I have grown have been more like zucchini plants than real vines. They don't keep for as long as other winter squashes like hubbard, butternut, buttercup, pink banana, etc, etc, etc. They all have different vine lengths and you'll have to research to find them out. Ten feet or more in each direction is not unusual. Squashes, melons and cucumbers send down a deep tap root, and have extensive roots off of that. Dig quite a large hole, like 2 or three feet wide and 18 or 24 inches deep for each plant. Refill the hole with the excavated soil, compost and other slow organic fertilizers. Let the roots grow throughout this zone of fertility. Water deeply to encourage those roots to explore. If your plants are happy below ground, it will pay dividends above.

Hoodat~I hope I'm up to my arms in acorn squash! I love it, and it'd be great to have high yields from only 1-2 plants... But guess who's making a comeback? That sickly lil plant was able to push out a flower this morning, along with a few baby leaves! I checked for bugs in the soil, and saw none. Sprayed off the small amount of aphids, and this morning I added some compost (soil amendment) along with a conservative amount of slow-release fertilizer. Cross your fingers that the plant will stick around...

Your squash is still immature, but a winter squash type looks right. When it gets its full mature color and size, it will be easier to know what it is/crossed with - crosses are always possible if this was a "volunteer" plant. And unless your neighbor is into heirloom veggies, I would think the varieties that are commonly available on your grocer's shelves are the usually the best guesses. FataMorgana

I went to your blog. I think that I would like to have the seeds of the Kosovo tomato. That would be the type of tomato I like, according to your descriptions. Thank you for rating them. Please let me know the difference between your sweet peppers, if it does not take too much of your time. Your new dog is beautiful. I am also a dog owner with two dogs. Your backyard garden is Spacious! Mine veg. garden will start to invade the flower gardens this year. Please check up my list if you like: http://members.gardenweb.com/members/exch/ada_pun?2588 Thanks.