Squash - Summer Garden Guide

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Squash-summer

Squash - Summer Stat Summary

Plant Spacing: 12-24" (304-609 mm)
Row Spacing: 36-60" (914-1524 mm)
Planting Depth: 1/2-1" (12-25 mm)
Plants Per Person: 1
Soil Temperature: 65-85°F (18-29°C)
Days to Emergence: 5-10
Recommended Soil PH: 5.8-6.8
Seed Indoors: 4 weeks before transplanting
Earliest Outdoor Planting: After Last Frost
Tick Can direct seed outdoors
Tick Can seed indoors

Planting Squash - Summer

Prefers warm well-drained, fertile, loose soil, high in organic matter with pH between 5.8 and 6.8. Direct sow 4 to 5 seeds into a hill at 1/2 to 1 inch depth; space hills 2 to 4 feet apart. When plants are 3 inches tall, thin to 2 to 3 plants per hill by snipping off unwanted plants; this prevents disturbing the other roots.

To plant in rows, direct sow seeds 4 inches apart in rows 4 to 5 feet apart; thin to 1 plant every 1 to 2 feet. For transplanting, start inside with 3 or 4 seeds in each 3 inch pot about 3 to 4 weeks before time to place in garden; thin to 1 or 2 seedlings per pot.

Prior to transplanting, harden off squash by reducing both air temperature and water quantity. Plant squash in garden about 1 or 2 feet apart.

Growing Squash - Summer

Plentiful and consistent moisture is needed from the time plants emerge until fruits begin to fill out. Mulch around plants to help retain moisture and reduce weeds.

Harvesting and Storing Squash - Summer

Summer squash develops very rapidly after pollination; check plants every few days after they begin to flower. For best quality and taste, use a knife to cut fruits from the plants when small and tender. Most elongated varieties are picked when they are less than 2 inches in diameter and 6 to 8 inches long. Flatter types are harvested when they are 3 to 4 inches in diameter.

Squash - Summer Insect and Disease Information

In the fall, remove all plant debris to help reduce mildew. Practice crop rotation in order to minimize potential diseases. Both cucumber beetles and squash bugs attach the vines and fruit; to control use an appropriate insecticide applied in either a spray or dust. Do not use any insecticide that will discourage bees from cross-pollinating your squash plants.

Squash - Summer Yield Information

No yield information for Squash - Summer.