How to Plant Squash and Grow Yellow Squash Plants
Choosing the best spot for your planting squash is essential to the success of your harvest. After careful planning and thorough research, you can now start planting your squash in your garden! Read on to discover the best place for your squash. In this article, we’ll cover a few of the essentials that you need to consider when planting squash. We’ll also discuss how to plant it correctly, including the proper soil composition, fertilizer, and more!
Squash are generally ready for harvest 60 days after planting. However, you don’t have to wait until the squash gets huge! Harvesting them while still young will help them be more tender. When harvesting, remove the stems carefully. Avoid bruising the fruit. Also, make sure you don’t pull the squash too early or you may damage it. Harvesting the fruit when it’s young will preserve the best quality. Once it’s ready, you can then enjoy your delicious squash!
During the growing season, you must monitor for diseases that might affect your harvest. Powdery mildew is the most common and is a threat in humid climates. Use neem oil to control powdery mildew. Similarly, wilt disease is caused by a bacteria transmitted by the cucumber beetle. This disease will cause the plant to wither and is often difficult to distinguish from squash vine borers.
When planting squash in a row, make sure to leave sufficient room between the plants. If they are planted too close, they will cross pollinate and produce strange fruits. Regardless of what kind you choose, you must separate them at least 4 feet apart. You may also want to separate the seeds if you plan to save seeds. This way, you can save some seeds for future use. If you’re planning on saving seeds, this will make your squash a better harvest.
Pests: Cucumber Mosaic Virus, which affects most of the cucurbits, affects the crop. While there are many varieties that are resistant to this disease, you must also consider the occurrence of powdery mildew in your area. To prevent this disease, plant resistant varieties, ensure good air circulation and watering, and avoid planting them in hot and humid climates. If you are unsure about the soil in your region, you can use a solution of baking soda and milk. This will help to inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria that attack your squash plants.
Aphids: Aphids will eat the leaves and stems of your squash plant. They will leave round holes that look like a mess. You can prevent them by using insecticides, rotating your crops, and paying attention to the plants. However, catching them early will make it easier to control them. A board placed nearby can attract the insects. Place the board under the plant where you see the eggs. Once you notice these, scrape the eggs off with your fingernail.
Soil temperature: Squash seeds need a warm soil temperature for germination. The soil should be at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Below this temperature, they will rot. To determine the best temperature, use a soil thermometer. The soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.5. If you’re planting outdoors, place the seeds in the soil with at least eight hours of direct sunlight a day. If you’re planting indoors, germination is faster when bottom heat is applied. Agricultural limestone is a great addition to the soil, but it cannot accommodate moisture and long use.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://diygardeningtips.com/beginners-gardening/how-to-use-a-mini-greenhouse-small-greenhouses-for-backyards/