Size: Vine varieties grow up to 10 feet in length; bush varieties spread 2 to 3 feet. Each vine bears several ridged, acorn-shaped fruits.

Sunlight requirements: Full sun (A minimum of six hours is ideal.)

Water requirements: About 1 inch per week—consistent moisture is ideal, so mulch well.

Soil requirements: Well-drained, fertile soil, high in organic matter

When to plant: Direct-seed in late-spring when soil temperatures reach 65 degrees F, or start seeds in peat pots three weeks before transplanting.

Where to plant: Garden; containers for bush varieties (8-gallon minimum)

When to harvest: 85 to 100 days from seed, when the rind is hard and a yellow spot appears on the underside of each fruit

Produce storage: Store in a cool, dry location. Will last several months. Keep 1 inch of stem attached to each fruit prior to storage.