For a longer, more even harvest, seed only part of your squash garden at first, and then finish the planting three weeks later. Some grow many fruit within a shorter period. Some varieties of summer squash grow fruit over a longer season. In most of Minnesota, this will be sometime in late May, or early June in the north. Use a soil thermometer and sow seeds after the last frost date, once soil temperatures are at least 70° F at the two-inch depth. Squash plants started indoors also fail to grow in the garden because of damage during transplanting. Plants started indoors and set out into cold soil will also not grow very well. Squash seeds will not germinate in cold soil. They contain weed killers that will kill vegetable plants.ĭirect seeding is preferred for starting squash. Do not use “Weed and Feed” type fertilizers on vegetables.Side dress with fertilizer when the plants begin to spread out their vines, using one-half cup of 46-0-0, or one cup of 27-3-3, or 3-½ cups 10-3-1 for each 100 feet of row.If you use manure or compost, you may not need additional fertilizer applications, depending on how much organic matter you use.Do not use fresh manure as it may contain harmful bacteria and may increase weed problems. You can improve your soil by adding well-rotted manure or compost in spring or fall.Forming raised beds will ensure good drainage, which these crops need.The soil should be moisture retentive yet well drained.Most gardeners, even those with neutral or slightly basic ("alkaline") soils, can successfully grow squash.For good yield and quality, the best soil pH range for vine crops is between 6.0 and 6.5, which is slightly acidic.Unless your soil test report specifically recommends additional phosphorus, use a low- or no-phosphorus fertilizer.Many Minnesota soils have enough phosphorus. Apply phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) according to soil test recommendations.Having pest issues? Check out in-depth information for pests that can be an issue to squash at the UC Integrated Pest Management site.Learn about growing all our crops on our YouTube page!.New to starting crops from seeds? Please watch our Seed Starting Presentation to learn the basics!.Squash are aggressively growing plants that look wonderful with cosmos, zinnias, and sunflowers.Grow at least two squash plants to ensure good pollination.Do not overhead water as this promotes foliar diseases.Mulch heavily around your squash plants to ensure the soil does not dry out or overheat.Mulch heavily on the top layer of soil in the pot to keep the soil from drying out or heating up too much. Keep in mind containers will dry out faster because they have more surface area and less soil to hold onto moisture. If growing in a container, make sure your container is at least 20″ deep. Squash plants like to grow across the ground but alternatively can be grown up a trellis if hanging fruit are supported.Hence the name! These squash you want to fully mature on the vine. Winter Squash is a squash that will mature with a hard outside and can keep for several months through the winter.These are crops like zucchini and scallop squashes among others. You want to be able to pierce the flesh of the squash with your nail. Summer Squash is eaten when it is young and tender.There are two ways to know that your fruit is ready, this is by knowing what kind of squash you are growing. Squash are best harvested at peak ripeness. You should hand pollinate your squash if you doubt you have good pollination. Pollination is key to producing squash.Mulching heavily around your plants will also help with weed suppression and moisture retention.In Zones 9 and 10, adding tons of compost will help create a healthy soil structure and keep soil moistures in. Squash should be planted into deeply irrigated, fertile soil.When the plants are 3-4″ tall you can plant them out into the garden. Once your squash has germinated and the first set of true leaves show, fertilize with an organic liquid fertilizer.Place seeds on top of the soil and cover with 1″ of finely sifted soil. If you are planting seeds in starter pots, plant seeds into thoroughly moist high-quality seed starting soil.To direct sow, plant seeds in debris-free, well-worked soil that has been deeply watered.We recommend direct seeding into freshly irrigated soils. In Zones 9 and 10, you can direct seed or transplant out your squash.Direct seed in the spring once soils have warmed.Squash should be grown in the warm season when soils are at least 70☏.
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