| Vegetable gardens are wonderful additions to any | | | | pollination to occur. Squash may be picked once |
| landscape. Certain vegetable species may also grow | | | | reaching four to eight inches in diameter. Fruit should |
| alongside flowering perennial and annual beds. Here a | | | | be picked before maturity to ensure continuous fruit |
| few suggestions before growing squash. | | | | development. When cutting the stem you should also |
| Growth requirements. Seeds can be sown after the | | | | leave at least two to three inches to be discarded |
| last frost and once the weather averages about 60 | | | | once fruit matures in sun. Check to make sure the |
| degrees. At least six seeds should be sown per | | | | specific squash varieties are cured properly |
| mound and two of the strongest plants should be | | | | throughout the ripening process. |
| kept for further development. Summer and winter | | | | Pests and diseases. There are two major pests to |
| squash grow best in light, moisture-retentive, and | | | | look out for, vine borers and squash bugs. The vine |
| well-drained soil. Squash may be grown as a vine, | | | | borers normally lay red-orange eggs at the base near |
| bush, or trellis form. When planting the vine form | | | | soil line. The eggs should be discarded otherwise you |
| make sure there is at least three to four feet of | | | | will have one-inch white caterpillars boring holes in the |
| spacing and eight to twelve feet width per row. The | | | | vines and possibly adult (orange and black moth) |
| bush form should have two to three feet of spacing | | | | borers laying more eggs. Squash bugs feed on squash |
| and four to six feet width per row. Squash may also | | | | leaves. Normally you will see wilted leaves that may |
| be grown upright as a climbing vine. Be sure to stake | | | | turn black. The bugs should be removed from the |
| the plants properly and prop up any fruit growing. | | | | plant and discarded into soapy water. You may also |
| Harvesting. If you would like to be harvesting squash | | | | spray your plants with soapy water. There are |
| throughout the summer, plant the second crop six | | | | pesticide treatments for other bug and disease |
| weeks after the first. The female and male blossoms | | | | symptoms, but consider these options before |
| should appear about six weeks after germination. If | | | | purchasing your squash plants. You may purchase |
| fruit isn't developing soon after, the plant may not be | | | | resistant cultivars, make sure the plants have plenty |
| pollinated. The best way to protect growing crops | | | | of air circulation, rotate crops, and add pest |
| from pests is to cover vegetable rows four to six | | | | deterrent plants around the squash beds. A few |
| weeks after planting seeds. Row covers should be | | | | companion plants that deter squash bugs include |
| removed just before the flowers appear, allowing | | | | radishes, nasturtiums, or marigolds. |