Stephen Albert
Summer squashes are tender, warm-weather crops. Summer squashes include crookneck, pattypan, straightneck, scallop, vegetable marrow, and zucchini.
Sow summer squash indoors 4 to 3 weeks before the last expected frost in spring. Sow summer squash outdoors when the soil temperature has warmed to 70°F (21°C). Protect squash in the garden from cool temperatures with row covers.
Summer squash matures 50 to 60 frost-free days after sowing and will bear fruit for weeks as long as the weather remains warm.
Sowing and Planting Tips:
- Grow summer squash from seeds or seedlings.
- Seed is viable for 6 years.
- Direct sow summer squash in the garden in spring after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to 70°F (21°C). In warm-winter regions, sow squash in midwinter for harvest in early summer.
- Summer squash seeds will not germinate at a soil temperature below 60°F (15°C).
- To get an early start, sow seed indoors 4 to 3 weeks before planting out. The indoor temperature should be 80 to 90°F (27-32°C) until germination. Grow seedlings at 75°F (24°C).
- Start seed indoors in peat pots filled with seed starting mix.
- Sow seed ½ to 1 inch (13mm-2.5 cm) deep.
- Seeds germinate in 7 to 10 days at 85°F (29°C) or warmer.
- Transplant summer squash into the garden after the soil has warmed to at least 70°F (21°C).
- Space plants in the garden 12 to 18 inches (30-45 cm) apart in all directions.
- Thin successful plants to 36 inches (90 cm) apart.
- Water to keep the soil from drying.
- Fertilize with fish emulsion or a soluble complete fertilizer at half strength.
- Add aged compost to planting beds in advance of transplanting.
- Summer squash prefers a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.8.
- Grow summer squash in full sun for best yield.
- Avoid planting summer squash where cucumbers or melons have grown recently.
- Common summer squash pest enemies include aphids, cucumber beetles, flea beetles, squash bugs, squash vine borers, slugs, and snails.
- Common diseases include bacterial wilt, fusarium wilt, downy mildew, powdery mildew, cucumber mosaic.
Interplanting: Plant summer squash with bush beans, corn, dill, eggplant, lettuce, cucumbers, squash, and tomatoes.
Container Growing: Squashes are not a good choice for container growing. They require significant room to spread and grow.
Summer Squashes Planting Calendar
- 4-2 weeks before the last frost in spring: start seed indoors for transplanting into the garden later.
- 2-3 weeks after the last frost in spring: transplant seedlings to the garden.
- 3 weeks after the last frost in spring: direct sow seed in the garden; minimum soil temperature is 65°F; protect with row covers if nights or days are cool.
Summer Squash Recommended Varieties
There many types and varieties of summer squash; here are a few:
- Zucchini: glossy, dark green or yellow cylindrical fruits; ‘Gold Rush’, ‘Spacemaster’; ‘Eightball’ is round.
- Scallop or pattypan: ‘Sunburst’, ‘Starship’, ‘Golden Scallopini Bush’.
- Round or globe: ‘Eight Ball’.
- Crookneck and Straightneck
Botanical Name: Cucurbita pepo
Summer squash are a member of the Cucurbitaceae family; other members cucumbers, melons, watermelon, and pumpkins.
More tips: How to Grow Summer Squash.
