Squash

General Information:
Squash, Zucchini and Cucuzzi are very popular crops grown here by almost everyone who gardens. Squash family vegetable are very easy to grow. In fact we usually grow at least two crop per season. Squash and Zucchini can be grown from seedlings or easily direct seeded into you wide beds. They are very vigorous plants growing to massive size and very colorful. The fruit produced come in a variety of wonderful colors from green, yellow, gold and multi-colors as well. I even have some growing in trees as pictured at left. Squash family members are warm season crop producing abundant yields. In fact most gardeners have a hard time giving them all away. Squash like loose, rich well drained soil amended with liberal amounts of compost and well rotted manure. Squash require full sun for best production.

Seed Starting:
A great Squash crop begins with large vigorous healthy seedlings 4 to 6 weeks old, grown in 4" or larger growing pots. Growing your own seedlings insure quality and varieties not commercially available. Squash seedling are usually commercially available from gardening retailers if your prefer purchasing seedlings. The seeds should be started about 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date in your zone, or your planned transplant date. Make sure the seed starting mix is a light sterile soil mix with a liberal portion of Perlite or Vermiculite to maintain moisture.  Sow 1  seeds per 4"pot about ¾" to 1" deep in pre-moistened growing mix.  During the day, keep the seedling  next to a sunny window after they have germinated. Move to top of the water heater or refrigerator at night if you do not have a greenhouse. A heated greenhouse will produce ideal, controllable growing conditions. I also use supplemental overhead florescent lighting. Here in Southeast Texas our late winter days are too short to produce healthy plants. Never allow your lights to burn more than 16 hours per day. A cheap electrical timer is the key to success here. Seedlings must be allowed to have a period of rest from light to grow properly. Hang your lights 1½ inches above the tops of the seedlings. This will prevent the seedling from becoming leggy. Raise the lights suspended by a chain as the plants grow. Do not allow the soil to dry out.  I feed my newly emerged seedling every other watering cycle. I prefer feeding my young seedlings with Fish Emulsion or liquid seaweed.  After they have grown to 3" I use a fertilizer high in phosphorus like Scotts Peters Professional 9-45-15 plant starter item #91140. Call 1-800-492-8255 for a dealer near you. Seeds can also be started by directly sowing into your prepared wide row beds. Plant 1 to 2  seeds ¾" to 1" deep and water gently. Two weeks after seedling have emerged thin to a the seedlings to 1 seedling per hill to allow adequate room for growth.

Soil Preparation:
For best results incorporate Liberal amounts of compost or well rotted manure deeply dug into the soil.  Beware of fresh manure as it may contain seeds, & high concentrations of urine & salts.  Since Squash family  are  shallow rooted plant it is very sensitive to moisture fluctuations.  Without adequate moisture the shallow roots  cannot deliver the require nutrients to produce properly.  Rake to break up & remove debris from the soil. Work the soil only when it is dry enough not to stick to garden tools.  Form a 48" wide bed the length of your choice. Using a garden hoe form a shallow trench in the center of the 48" wide bed about 4" deep. Do not allow the trench between the 2 rows too extend beyond the end of the beds as this trench will hold water later.  The 2 rows in the 48" wide bed should be about  16" to 20" apart. I always amend my soil with Diazinon  granules  at the rate or 1 cup per 100 square foot of bed. Work the crystal 3" deep into the 36" wide beds. This insecticide will minimize vine borers from attacking your vines.

Fertilization:
Perform a complete soil analysis to determine fertilization needs.  Soil sample kits including sample bag and instructions can be  obtained from your local county  Agricultural extension service office free of charge. However, the fee  for the actual soil analysis is usually about $15.00.

Squash need very fertile soil to produce well. It is best to add additional aged cow manure to each planting hill.  Dig a hole about 6" deep and 6" in diameter 18" to 24" apart.  Half fill the holes with aged cow manure and mix with soil removed from the hole creating a small hill. Also apply two tablespoons of 13-13-13 balanced fertilizer in the trench between hills at planting time, again at first sign of blooms and when you first harvests begins. When you water your plants in the trench the fertilizer will constantly feed your hungry plants.

Hardening Off:
It will be necessary to harden off your seedlings before transplanting into the garden bed. The seedling must become accustomed to the harsher elements outdoors. This is accomplished by placing the seedling outside to a sheltered location. At this point the seedlings are very tender and easily broken by wind and rain. Start out by placing the seedling in full morning sunlight for one hour. Increase the time in full sunlight gradually adding time each day. Protect your seedlings from wind and animals to prevent breakage of the tender vegetation. Within two weeks your plants should be able to stand full sunlight the entire day without wilting or burning the tender leaves. At this point your seedlings are ready for the harsh elements of the garden.

Planting & Growing:
Transplant potted seedling or direct sow seed after all danger of frost has passed in the  previously prepared 48" wide beds 18" to 24" apart.  Plants can be set slightly deeper  when transplanting.  Avoid disturbing the roots as much as possible as they are very fragile. Water the plants well during transplanting  using about 1 pint of starter solution on each transplant, or use commercially prepared starter solution according to manufacturer's instructions.  This can be a weak solution of  20-20-20  general plant food or commercially available root stimulator. This will encourage rapid root growth & produce fruit of acceptable quality. Squash grow very rapidly and attain large size once set out into the beds.  Squash simply vine on the soil, vining varieties such as Cucuzzi climb up a sturdy trellis or fence.. Vining squash produce very heavy fruit and require a sturdy support if trellised. Cover the entire  36" wide bed including the trench between the rows with leaves or straw mulch. The mulch will retain moisture, attract worms, and reduce the growth of weeds in the beds. Any weeds that do germinate are easily removed by hand or light cultivation. When it is time to water your plants simply apply a moderate amount of water into the trench between the row you formed earlier.  Do not apply water to quickly as you may wash out  soil holding the water. The water will slowly soak deeply onto the root zone.  Using this method your plants will always have adequate moisture to perform well.  It is of great importance that the soil be kept moist and weed free. If you live in the northern states with short growing seasons you can get an early start by buying or constructing a cold frame. frames can be as crude as bails of hay or straw formed into a shallow box covered with a storm door or plastic. The heat from the earth should keep them from freezing if the box is sealed properly.

Care during the growing season:
Squash require little care other than providing moist weed free soil to grow in. Harvest fruit properly to keep the vines producing throughout the growing season.

The severity of insect attack is much greater in late crops. It is suggested that the control program start early (emerging seedlings) and continued on a regular basis.  Consult your local county extension  service office for diagnosis and recommended treatment.

Harvesting:
Cut the squash from the vine using a sharp knife or pruning shears to avoid damaging the plant. Summer squash vines are very prolific, the more harvest the greater the yield. Keep you squash harvested to promote continued production throughout the growing season.

Storage:
Squash can be stored in the refrigerator for short periods. Squash can also be cleaned, sliced and frozen for later use.