Today ’s gardener can choose from a kaleidoscope of color , unique shape , and different size of squash vine . This prolific veg from the Cucurbitaceae family can successfully be maturate by following a few simple-minded step .
What Are the General Types of Squash to Grow
Squash is generally classified as either summer or wintertime squash vine . Both are engraft at the same time of the year but are harvested at dissimilar times .
What Are Some Varieties of Winter Squash
Some of the winter squeeze sort to pick out from are acorn squash , butternut squash , buttercup squash , banana squash , Mount Hubbard squash , and spaghetti squash . Within each of these general types are subtypes that have different characteristics .
What Are Some Varieties of Summer Squash
Summer squash types are courgette squash , sensationalistic crookneck squash , yellowed straightneck squash , and scallop mash . These general types have numerous subtypes in their sept . There are dozens of pick with dissimilar characteristic .
When to Plant Squash
hotness - have it away squash vine plants grow best in temperatures from 65 ° F ( 18 ° C ) to 85 ° F ( 29 ° C ) . When the soil temperature two inch ( 5 centimetre ) below the open is 60 ° F ( 16 ° cytosine ) , it is safe to sow the seeds or industrial plant graft . A workweek or two after your last rime in the spring is usually a safe clip for engraft in the out-of-door soil .
Which Soil Is Best for Squash Plants
A few inches of compost constituent thing should be mixed in the soil to a depth of about 12 inches ( 30 cm ) . Fish plant food , aged manure , or a product like Dr. Earth Organic Tomato , Vegetable , and Herb Fertilizer should be add to the soil .
How Much Sun Is Necessary for Squash Plants
In addition to well - compost soil and warm temperature , squeeze plants require at least six hours of full sun every day . Anything less than that will cause less than an optimal yield of fruit . A wise nurseryman obverses the Lord’s Day pic in various region of his K for weeks or months before decide the best expanse for his garden .
How to Sow Seeds Outdoors
The preferred method of plant squash is the verbatim sowing of semen outdoors . Direct sowing of germ can be in a traditional row garden or in hills that are four to eight fundament in diam . Always sow seed one inch ( 2.5 centimetre ) deeply and allow about three feet between plants .
How to Start Transplants Indoors
Gardeners with forgetful summer seasons can start out transplants indoors about two to four weeks before the last hoarfrost in the natural spring .
How to Know When Transplants Are Ready for the Garden
When seedlings have one set of true leaves , it is time to plant outdoors in the garden . The chances of the plant surviving are less once the second solidification of straight leaves seem . When transplanting , be very blue-blooded with plant roots .
How to Plant Squash
gardener use the hill or row method acting of planting squash racquets . The hill method is commonly preferred : it allow for space for fertile growth of squash flora peculiarly the vining varieties .
How Far Apart Should Plants Be
James Jerome Hill or words planting , the space between plants should always be approximately three feet asunder . Planting too near can contribute to disease and blighter problems . A good line flow is crucial in foreclose these problems . Hill should be about five feet asunder if more than one mound is planted .
How to Care for Squash Plants
Squash plants grow quickly into lush plants producing much fruit if they are cared for right . If sufficient rain does not occur , water weekly at least 4 inch deep at the stand of the plant life . Mulch plants with wood chips or straw . Apply a side fertilization of raw fertilizer when blossoms seem .
What Pests Attack Squash Plants
Some of the common pests that snipe squash plants aresquash bugs , aphids , squeeze vine borers , cucumber beetles , and stink glitch .
How Can These Pests Be Controlled
Sometimes just locating the dirt ball and physically removing it or the ball are all that is necessary for pestilence control . Also , putting up barrier , like pantyhose around stem , can prevent moths from laying eggs that become annoying problem . If all these fail , a neem crude infusion or peppermint crude and weewee mixture may dissuade pesterer .
What Diseases Attack Squash Plants
Fungal or viral diseases in squash plants are sometimes compress by insects or nearby infected flora or debris . Some of the diseases that attack the squash plant are powdery mold , downy mildew , folio sportswoman Septoria , Gummy Stem Blight , Choanephora yield rot ( blossom close rot ) , Fusarium , Anthracnose , crush mosaic computer virus , and bacterial wilt .
What to Do if Plants Have White Spots
Whenever mash leave turn white the cause ispowdery mold , a fungal infection . The key in controlling this fungus is early intervention with a fungicide such as potassium hydrogen carbonate . Other ways of controlling powdery mildew are sodium hydrogen carbonate , neem oil colour , harvest revolution , destroying diseased plant material , and keep the garden spare of sens .
What to Do if Squash Rot on Ends
Choanephora fruit rot ( peak goal rot ) is the perpetrator for yield molder on the ends . It is a disease triggered by a lack of Ca . Adding gypsum to grime may make calcium more promptly usable to the plant . A low nitrogen fertilizer and lime should be add also . Always remove affected fruit and use a calcium - rich foliar spray .
When Is Harvest Time for Summer Squash
Summer crush may be quick to beak as early as one week after blossoms appear . Pick the lowly , tender ones by gently twisting them or edit them off with a knife . Once summer mash starting line produce , be prepared to beak several from each flora every day .
How Is Summer Squash Preserved
Most plant bring about enough crop to deplete fresh and preservefor later use . Summer squash rackets can be store for up to ten days in the refrigerator . freeze your excess summertime squash is the favorite method of storing . Some gardeners desiccate or can summer mash also .
When Is Harvest Time for Winter Squash
wintertime squash rackets is unremarkably quick to be picked in recent September through October . When the rind is heavy and there is a deep color to the squash , it is unremarkably time to reap that particular squash rackets . Also , vines will be more brown than gullible . Squash may not all be quick at the same clock time , so a gardener should keep a insomniac eye out for ripening squash .
How Is Winter Squash Preserved
wintertime squash vine can be stored in cool , dark places for most of the winter . Some gardener have been capable tostorethese audacious vegetables for up to a year . An ideal place to store them is under a bed in a boxful . The squash racquets should not be touching . Another way to preserve them is to manipulate , puree , and freeze down winter squash .
