Theres hardly a family dinner or holiday meal in the South without squash on the table.
Fromold-school squash casseroleto roastedbutternut squash, theres a squash recipe for every season.
it’s possible for you to grow both summer andwinter squashin your garden.
Credit:Getty Images /Cavan Images
You usually can grow more than one crop of summer squash per season in your garden.
It takes up a lot more space in the garden, reaching up to 25 feet in length.
It requires 80 to 120 days to mature, depending on the variety.
The plants also have zero tolerance for surviving a frost.
Or you might start seeds indoors about three weeks before you plan to transplant.
For summer squash, plant rows about three to four feet apart.
Plant winter squash in rows or mounds about six to eight feet apart.
Thin seedlings when theyre a few inches tall.
Water lightly until germination.
Weed your bed regularly as plants dont compete well for moisture and nutrients.
Install a sturdy trellis to keep fruits off the ground and save space in the garden.
Gently redirect vines to climb up it as they grow.
Squash plants produce male and female flowers.
The male flowers appear a week or two before the females.
The female flower has a tiny squash just below the flower.
Pollen must be carried from the male to the female flowers on the same or different plants.
Soil
Squash like rich soil.
Do asoil testto learn what you may need to add.
Water
Squash are thirsty plants.
Early Prolific
This is a throw in of yellow straight neck and anAll-America Selections(AAS) winner.
AAS seeds have been trialed for performance in home gardens.
It produces loads of creamy yellow fruit early in the season.
Zephyr
This is a throw in of yellow crookneck hybrid thats a vigorous grower.
It produces nutty-flavored, firm yellow squash with green blossom ends.
Its an AAS winner.
Honeybaby
This is a winter squash AAS winner that grows on compact vines two to three feet long.
It produces an abundance of lightbulb-shaped fruits that are about six inches long.
Early Butternut
This is a classic butternut with medium-sized fruit that matures more quickly than other butternut varieties.
Its an AAS winner.
Cornells Bush Delicata
This delicata bang out has good powdery mildew resistance on a more compact vine.
Its the first winter squash to ripen.
Aim for four to six inches long and one to two inches in diameter.
confirm to check the plant daily once it starts producing.
The more you pick, the more summer squash will produce!
The rind should be hard to scratch or dent with your fingernail.
Use a knife to cut them free of the woody vine.
Use drip irrigation and choose resistant varieties, or use a fungicide, such as horticultural oil.
Blossom-end Rot
Fruits have a black spot on the end.
Remove affected fruits; new ones may develop fine.
They tend to attack older plants.
Pick by hand oruse neem oil.
Squash Vine Borer
Adult clear-winged moths lay eggs near the base of plants.
Developing larvae tunnel into stems and cause plant wilt and death.
Plant a disease-resistant variety or use neem oil.
