Scottish growing tool

Squash Variety Selector: Which One For Your Garden

Every recommendation below traces back to our full Squash varieties comparison — this page is the fast route to one answer for your specific situation, no clicking through required.

If: Winter squash, I want something that stores for months → I've got reasonable space and some shelter or Winter squash, I want something that stores for months → Not sure, just give me the safest all-round choice or Not sure, just give me the safest all-round choice

Crown PrinceAGM

The best all-round pick for most Scottish gardens with reasonable space and some shelter: a proven, high-yielding trailing winter squash with dense, sweet orange flesh that stores for months. It needs a 2.5 to 4m trailing footprint, so it's a bet on its size and reputation rather than a stated maturity window.

If: Winter squash, I want something that stores for months → Small plot or raised bed

HarlequinAGM

A genuine winter squash alternative for a small garden, not a consolation prize. It doesn't trail extensively like other squash varieties, with a compact footprint of just 0.5 to 1m by 1.5 to 2.5m, a fraction of Crown Prince's spread, and very sweet, moist flesh.

If: Winter squash, I want something that stores for months → Short, exposed, or unpredictable season

Harrier

The variety with the clearest short-season pedigree of the six: British-bred and ready to harvest in around 100 days, a concrete maturity window Crown Prince doesn't offer, which buys real margin against an early autumn cold snap. The general squash page lists it as AGM, but Harrier's own individual plant page shows no AGM badge, an unresolved discrepancy between the two RHS pages.

If: Winter squash, I want something that stores for months → Somewhere in between: medium plant, smaller fruit

Sweet DumplingAGM

Splits the difference between Crown Prince's size and Harlequin's compactness, on a 1.5 to 2.5m by 1 to 1.5m footprint. High-yielding with numerous small, sweet fruit, harvestable through October and November, and stores well into winter, a solid middle option.

If: Summer squash, fast and low-risk

SunburstAGM

Picked young, so none of the winter squash ripening-window risk applies. A compact, bushy patty-pan type (0.1 to 0.5m by 1 to 1.5m) that suits smaller spaces and containers, and the safer bet for a short or unpredictable season since it never needs to reach full maturity.

Answer these as a quick wizard instead →

Squash growing guide →Full Squash varieties comparison →