Plant squash seeds directly inside the garden 1 week or further after the remaining frost. Transplant squash seedlings to the garden 2 to 4 weeks after the remaining frost; get began seeds indoors 4 weeks quicker than setting out seedlings.
The optimal planting soil temperature for squash is 60-85°F (16-29°C). The optimal emerging temperature for squash is 60-75°F (16-24°C).
In reverse-season climates, a second crop could also be planted in early autumn for harvest in winter.
Planting squash
Squashes are easy to increase alternatively they maximum regularly take in a lot of garden area. A vining squash plant needs about 10 sq. feet of emerging room if allowed to sprawl. Squash can be professional vertically on a trellis or tripod to save some room. Most squashes are available in bush varieties which take a lot much less room.
Squash grows very best in humus-rich, well-drained, sandy loam. Add aged compost or a industry herbal planting mix to a depth of 12 inches. Squashes are steadily planted atop mounds or hills allowing the vines to run down the hill where they may be able to be professional to circle the mound.
Squash are heavy feeders wanting a reasonable amount of nitrogen and a major amount of phosphorus. Add a slow-release herbal fertilizer to the soil at planting time. Plant squash in whole sun.
Squash harvest time
Summer season squashes related to crookneck scallop, straight-neck, and zucchini mature in 50 to 65 days. Winter squashes related to acorn, banana, buttercup, delicata, Hubbard, spaghetti, and Turk’s turban mature in 60 to 110 days.
Summer season squash should be harvested while more youthful and comfortable when the out of doors yields to thumb energy. Winter squash which takes longer to mature should be not be harvested until as late as imaginable in autumn alternatively quicker than the principle exhausting frost. The shells should be exhausting enough to resist denting by means of a thumbnail.
Squash planting dates
(The ones dates are for the Northern Hemisphere)
| Average date of the remaining frost | Planting dates |
| Jan. 30 | Feb. 1-Apr.15 |
| Feb. 8 | Feb. 15-Apr. 15 |
| Feb. 18 | Mar. 1-Apr. 15 |
| Feb. 28 | Mar. 15-Apr. 30 |
| Mar. 10 | Apr. 1-May 15 |
| Mar. 20 | Apr. 10-May |
| Mar. 30 | Apr. 10-June 1 |
| Apr. 10 | Apr. 20-June 1 |
| Apr. 20 | May 1-June 15 |
| Apr. 30 | May 1-Jun. 10 |
| May 10 | May 10-June 15 |
| May 20 | May 20-June 15 |
| May 30 | June 1-20 |
| June 10 | June 10-20 |
Squash planting details
- Sowing depth: 1-2 inches (2.5-5cm)
- Area between plants after thinning: 2-3 feet for summer time squash; 3-4 feet between winter squash
- Days to sprout: 7-12
- Days to harvest: 50-60 for summer time squash; 80-120 for winter squash
- Storage period: 1-2 weeks for summer time squash; 8-24 weeks for winter squash
- Seeds in keeping with 100-row feet: 1-2 oz.
- Yield in keeping with 100-row feet: 200 pounds
- Advisable summer time varieties: Aristocrat, Gold Rush, Scallopini, Early Straightneck
- Advisable winter varieties; Waltham Butternut, Blue Hubbard, Turk’s Turban, Royal Acorn, Vegetable Spaghetti
Additional squash planting articles:
The easiest way to Expand Zucchini and Summer season Squash
The easiest way to Expand Winter Squash
