How to Grow Squash
Squash are one of the easiest plants to grow and perfect for beginners. It’s a warm season crop and likes to spread, so firs things first–make sure you have plenty of space for it to sprawl. They are super prolific and will give you a bounty of produce to share.
The squash family includes pumpkin, zucchini, yellow squash and buttercup, butternut, acorn and cushaw varieties. Summer squash is a tender, warm-season vegetable that can be grown throughout North America during the warm, frost-free season. Think zucchini and yellow squash. Similar in taste, they grow in different sizes and shapes.
Summer squash is harvested before the rind hardens and the fruit matures. Winter squash is harvested after the fruit matures. It grows on bush-type plants that do not spread whereas winter squash grows on vines and will sprawl, like the buttercup squash shown below.
As previously mentioned, the squash plant likes it warm and it likes to eat. These heavy feeders also like their water–until the fruit show up on the stem. You can ease back on the hose as they mature. You can start these indoors as they transplant well, important for my Arctic Amigos who live in the cold land. One thing to keep in mind as you begin your squash seeds: not all squash matures at the same rate. Nor do they mature at the same size.
Perfect Potting Mix for Seeds
1/3 peat moss
1/3 compost
1/3 worm poop or composted cow manure
The lightweight peat moss encourages tiny root growth while the compost helps retain the moisture. The poop/manure provide the nutrients. The seeds are fairly small and flat, so only plant them 1/4″ deep. You can also plant these seeds direct in the garden where they’ll thrive.
Once you have sturdy sprouts, take them out to the garden and plant about 18″ apart. They like to sprawl and will spread 10-15 feet if you let them, maybe more, especially where giant pumpkin are concerned.
To harvest, simply snip from the vine when ready!
Problems
Squash bugs love squash, hence the name. If not deterred, they will destroy your plants in no time. Grasshoppers will too, devouring leaves at an alarming rate. For help, consider planting marigold as it deters beetles. Nasturtium deters squash bugs and beetles. Oregano provides general pest protection.
Powdery mildew is another big issue. These plants like lots of water, but when it lingers on their leaves, it can cause fungus. Not good. Best to water these plants at the base, and allow for as much air flow between plants as possible.
Good Companions for squash: Corn, melon, nasturtium, oregano, pumpkin, radish.
Bad Companions for squash: Potato.
Health Benefits
Squash, particularly the orange fleshed winter squash, can improve vision, protect cardiovascular health, boost immunity, increase fertility, improve bone mineral density, and aid weight loss, among others. It’s high in Vitamins A, C, B6 and minerals like niacin, thiamine, magnesium, potassium, copper and folate and iron.
