Site and Soil

Squash grows best in full sun sites with good air circulation and prefers soil that is moist, well drained, fertile and rich in organic matter. The soil's pH should range from 5.5 to 6.8. Lime and fertilizer rates of application should be based on periodic soil tests. Natural fertilizers such as compost and manures, and slow-release commercial fertilizers along with limestone are effective when tilled into soil before planting time.

Varieties

There are many varieties of squash with great variation in shape, size, color, taste and texture. Squash plants are herbaceous (nonwoody) annuals, either winter or summer types. Summer squashes are harvested as immature fruit, while winter squashes are harvested as mature fruit.

Planting

Squash is a warm season crop that must be planted after all danger of frost is past and the soil has warmed.

Squash grow best at temperatures between 65^oF to 75^oF. Seeds germinate poorly at low soil temperatures, therefore, wait until the soil is 60^oF before planting. Plant seeds one inch deep and 12 inches apart in rows 40 inches apart, or plant several seeds in hills that are three feet apart. Thin plants in rows so they are two to three feet apart and thin plants in hills to two or three plants per hill. For vine-type squash, thin plants four to six feet apart.

Care

It is important to control the weeds through frequent shallow cultivation and/or with the use of mulches. A black plastic mulch stops all weed growth and can help in warming the soil. If using an organic mulch, wait until early July before laying it down to allow the ground to warm. Cultivate all the weeds before applying the mulch. Desirable materials include straw, saltmarsh hay or sawdust. Hay should be avoided because it may contain weed seeds.

Avoid using fresh lawn clippings or clippings from a lawn that was treated with a herbicide within the last six weeks.

Squash require a plentiful supply of water. Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the season. If it does not rain, an application of an inch of water per week will be enough.

Squash plants are monoecious, having male and female flowers on the same plant. Male blossoms appear first on a long stalk which often lifts the flower above the foliage. The female flowers are on a short stalk that resembles a small fruit. Squash requires cross-pollination, which is done mainly by bees or other insects.

Different varieties of squash will cross-pollinate, so do not save seed if different varieties are grown in the same area and flower at the same time. Cross-pollination will not affect the look or taste of this year's fruit. It can affect the look and taste of the squash grown from the seed of the cross-pollinated plants.

Bush varieties are excellent choices for gardeners with small plots. Most of the summer squash are bush varieties.

Harvest

Summer squash is harvested throughout the growing season, while winter squash is harvested at one time.

Pick summer squash with elongated fruits when they are less than three inches in diameter and up to eight inches long. Scallop squashes are harvested at three to four inches in diameter. Winter squash should be picked when mature and fruits have hard rinds.

Insects, Diseases and Other pests

Squash plants are subject to insect pests, mites and diseases. Their damage can be reduced by taking some preventive measures such as planting disease-free seed or transplants, selecting disease-resistant varieties, removing and destroying all diseased plants, controlling weeds properly, using crop rotation and keeping the garden and nearby area free of debris.

Insects and Diseases of Beans

Disorder (images may show diseases on other cucurbit plants)	Sympton	Control
Angular Leaf Spot	Angular, water-soaked spots 1/8" to 1/4" across. Later spots dry up and drop out of leaf.	Copper hydroxide, basic copper sulfate.
Anthracnose	Angular black spots 1/4" to 1/2" across on foliage. On fruit, sunken spots, pink at first, later turning black.	Benomyl, chlorothalonil, copper oxychloride sulfate, basic copper sulfate, maneb or thiophanate-methyl.
Downy Mildew	Yellow, irregular spots on uppers sides of leaves. Grayish-purple fungus growth on underside of leaves.	Chlorothalonil, copper hydroxide, copper oxychloride sulfate, basic copper sulfate, mancozeb or maneb.
Powdery Mildew	Powdery gray-white growth on leaves and petioles. Premature defoliation often occurs.	Benomyl, chlorothalonil, copper oxychloride sulfte, basic copper sulfate, sulfur or thiophanate-methyl.
Bacterial Wilt	Individual leaves wilt and turn dull green. Gradually the entire plant wilts and dies.	This bacterial disease overwinters in the cucumber beetle; therefore, it is necessary to control the cucumber beetles.
Cucumber Beetle	Beetle 1/5" long, yellow, three black strips down back. Generally appear at the end of May. Adults overwinter in debris in or near the garden. Transmits wilt disease.	Apply methoxychlor, diatect, carbaryl, rotenone, malathion, cryolite, natur-gro, pyrelin or pyrenone starting in mid- to late June. Repeat as needed.
Squash Vine Borer	White larvae of a clear-winged moth bore into stems of pumpkins and squash. Overwinters as a pupa in the soil, emerging in late June.	Apply diatect, malathion, methoxychlor, natur-gro, pyrelin or rotenone in late June and repeat weekly.
Squash Bug	Adults are flat, brown with orange on the abdomen, about 3/4" long. Young are gray with black legs. Eggs are brownish and in patches on stems and underside of leaves.	Remove debris, which harbors overwintering adults. Crush egg masses. Use row covers to exclude Pyrenone adults until flowers appear.
Melon Aphid	Small, greenish-yellow to black insects found on new growth and underside of leaf.	Apply insecticidal soap, diatect, diazinon, dimethoate, malathion, horticultural oil, pyrenone or rotenone when aphids are spotted.
Spider Mites	Very small, yellow or reddish mites. Yellowish spots on foliage. Webs may be seen.	Apply insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, diatect, diazinon, kelthane, malathion or pyrellin when mites are noticed.

Despite good cultural practices, pests and diseases at times may appear. Chemical control should be used only after all other methods have failed.

The information in this material is for educational purposes. The recommendations contained are based on the best available knowledge at the time of printing. Any reference to commercial products, trade or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended. The Cooperative Extension system does not guarantee or warrant the standard of any product referenced or imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others which also may be available.All agrochemicals/pesticides listed are registered for suggested uses in accordance with federal and Connecticut state laws and regulations as of the date of printing. If the information does not agree with current labeling, follow the label instructions. The label is the law.Warning! Agrochemicals/pesticides are dangerous. Read and follow all instructions and safety precautions on labels. Carefully handle and store agrochemicals/pesticides in originally labeled containers immediately in a safe manner and place. Contact the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection for current regulations.The user of this information assumes all risks for personal injury or property damage.Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Kirklyn M. Kerr, Director, Cooperative Extension System, The University of Connecticut, Storrs. The Connecticut Cooperative Extension System offers its programs to persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability and is an equal opportunity employer.