How to Grow Summer Squash with Ease
Last updated: June 18, 2014
Are you new to gardening?
Would you like to grow your very own summer squash?
Growing squash and zucchini in the summer is a staple for many gardens. Welcome back to Beginner Gardening Wednesday, where every week we share about how to make gardening easy. No matter what the experience level, you will find great gardening tips to make your life as a gardener easier.
Today, we are going to be sharing how to grow summer squash and how to troubleshoot the difficulties that summer squash can present. We will start with the troubleshooting.
Troubleshooting Growing Squash
- Squash is really sensitive to temperature, so you have to make sure you plant at the right time.
- Squash does not transport well. That means instead of trying to grow squash early indoors, you may want to wait until the ground is warm enough to plant.
- Watch out for bugs like squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and squash vine borers. As the season continues, the risk of these bugs becomes higher. For organic bug control according to Mother Earth News, some gardeners combine handpicking, installing row covers and sprays made from natural soaps.
- If you can’t wait to plant that summer squash, then cover your garden bed with black plastic mulch. This will help to warm the soil up.
Planting and Caring for Summer Squash
- You best bet is to start planting when the soil has warmed up. According to the Old Farmers’ Almanac, that will be when the soil – 2 inches deep – is about 60 degrees. This is usually about a week or so after the last frost to midsummer.
- Chose a spot in your garden that gets full sun and moist soil.
- Plant the seeds about 1 inch deep every 2 -3 feet apart.
- Add organic compost to the soil. Your summer squash will love it.
- No matter the type of squash, we highly recommend install Rootsticks when you plant. This direct to root watering system will provide the oxygen, nutrients and water right to the root zone.
- Water about once a week.
When to Harvest
The best time to harvest summer squash is when they are small and delicate. That is approximately 60 days after planting and a week after flowering. When you harvest make sure to cut the squash off.
What are you growing in your garden this month?
