Summer Buttercup Squash

In Florida, summer is the time I plant buttercup squash in the garden. It’s a fall favorite around my house, and is pretty easy to grow. Unless you don’t provide enough water. Then, this large sprawling squash plant will rebel. Worse, it will wither away and die. Very sad, indeed.

But with the proper care, it is beautiful and prosperous. I placed screen over the walkways to reduce weeds and allow vine to stretch far and wide. I also provided a trellis for it to climb.

In my garden, I planted watermelon next to my squash. Definitely not suggested practice for several reasons. They can cross-pollinate, their vines can grow and tangle with one another and make harvesting and weeding a bigger chore. So you might ask, why did I do so?

I’m actually preparing to move my garden into raised beds and wasn’t overly concerned with the results. This was more an experiment, if you will. Besides, I planted my watermelon on the edge, allowing it to spread outside of the garden perimeter.

Had no idea a critter would take to the garden and run off with one of my melons! That’s where I discovered it…in the foreground of the photo, maybe twenty feet from the garden. Sheesh!

If allowed to grow, buttercup squash are plentiful in summer and quite delicious! I prefer mine oven-roasted. Family enjoys them sautéed with onions. Just one more reason to garden.