Growing yellow squash is both satisfying and relaxing. If you have never heard of or ate squash, you have probably seen it in the produce section of the grocery store. One of the most common varieties of squash is the crooked-neck or straight-neck squash. Some people just simply call it yellow squash.
This type of squash plant is easy to grow in most areas and has absolutely stunning vine growth! In order to get to this bountiful harvest, there are a few things you need to know (and do) to grow this delicious plant.
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This post is all about growing yellow squash and getting a bountiful harvest.
So how do you grow this plant? It’s not rocket science, but you can do it in a few simple steps. Let’s get started!
1. What is a squash?
Squash comes in different shapes and varieties. It is a member of the cucurbit family and grows on a vine. There are generally two types of squashes: summer and fall/winter squashes. Summer squashes include straight neck, zucchini, and pattypans. Fall squashes include acorn, butternut, and spaghetti. You may get conflicting answers on if it is a fruit or vegetable. Since it has seeds, you will often see it referred to as a fruit.
2. Planting Conditions
You want to plant your squash when the soil is warm. This is usually in May and June. If you are planting them in rows, be sure to space your rows 4 feet apart due to the vine spread on the squash plant. Within the row, plant them 2 feet apart. You want to practice crop rotation with squash. This simply means, if you planted something within the cucurbit family in that area previously, rotate it to another area. This family of plants is susceptible to disease from the previous crop season. Crop rotation will reduce disease and pest pressures.
When it is time to plant your squash, pick a place that gets at least 6 hours of sun per day. When digging your hole for planting, be sure to loosen up the soil about 8-12 inches down. Once the soil is loosened, add a handful of compost and mix that with the soil. Add fertilizer to the soil next (amounts will vary depending on package instructions). Mix the fertilizer well with the compost and soil. Now take all the mixed compost, fertilizer, and dirt and cover the entire hole.
In the same hole you just covered, stick your hand in the dirt to make a hole deep enough to plant the squash even with the ground. Don’t cover up the leaves. Just place the part of the plant that is covered in soil in your new hole. Place the loose dirt around the plant to secure it in place.
Some gardeners will fertilize the plant after transplanting it to a new area. You can use a general fertilizer, liquid fish fertilizer, or no fertilizer. It is completely up to you! If you choose to fertilize, please follow the instructions on the package.
3. Pollination
The squash plant attracts pollinators in most areas. The plant contains male and female flowers. Your squash will actually produce on the female flower bloom. If you don’t have pollinators, you can use a paintbrush to help pollinate the plant. This hand-pollination method is a great example.
4. Harvesting
In 2 weeks, you start to see baby squash forming with the female bloom attached to the end. In 4-6 weeks, you should have some squash to harvest. You will want to pick your squash when it is 5 inches. Once it gets this length, you want to check it regularly to make sure it doesn’t get too big. It is not uncommon for squash to get 5 inches longer in 2 days.
If the squash gets too big, it will be tough. There are uses for the tougher squash like baked squash bread (think zucchini bread). You definitely want to harvest them as soon as possible after they have gotten at least 5 inches long.
Remove the squash from the vine by simply twisting the stem until it breaks away from the vine.
5. Insects and Diseases
Your squash may or may not encounter a common disease or insect attack. Some people grow squash for years and never have any problems. Some common insects that attack squash are the cucumber beetle, squash bug, and the squash vine bore. The squash vine bore is the number one pest because it will quickly kill the entire plant. This insect overwinters in the soil and comes back in the spring as a moth. The moths lay eggs at the base of your squash plants. The eggs hatch in maggot-like bores that tunnel into the stems and kill the plant from the inside.
Some people say that wrapping the base of the plant in nylon stockings work as a deterrent from the squash bore. While others hunt the squash bore by slitting the stem and removing it. Just keep an eye out for this small yet powerful creature.
Now that you have everything you need to plant yellow squash for a summer harvest, go to your local nursery or home improvement store to pick up your first plant!
