Squash
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Winter Squash Care and Maintenance
Caring for winter squash properly is the key to growing strong, productive plants that yield flavorful, long-lasting fruit. After decades of growing winter squash in home and market gardens, I’ve developed a simple but effective care routine that supports healthy vines, improves pollination, and increases yields. In this post, I’ll share proven tips and personal […] More
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Planting and Growing Winter Squash
Winter squash is a rewarding and flavorful crop to grow in the home garden, offering a long shelf life and rich, nutritious flesh perfect for soups, roasts, and baking. As a longtime gardener with decades of hands-on experience growing dozens of winter squash varieties—from sweet Delicata to hearty Blue Hubbard—I’ve learned what it takes to […] More
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Growing Squash in Small Spaces: Trellising & Container Growing
If you think you don’t have enough space to grow squash, think again! With the right techniques, you can successfully grow summer and winter squash in containers and train vining varieties up trellises, making it possible to enjoy a bountiful harvest—even in small gardens, patios, balconies, or decks. Over the years, I’ve experimented with different […] More
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The Ultimate Guide to Growing Winter Squash
Growing winter squash is one of the most rewarding experiences in the garden. With the right care, you can harvest flavorful, nutrient-rich squash that stores well for months, providing homegrown goodness long after the growing season ends. Over the years, I’ve grown a wide variety—including butternut, acorn, delicata, and kabocha—and I’ve learned firsthand what works […] More
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How to Harvest and Store Summer Squash for Maximum Freshness
Summer squash, including zucchini, yellow squash, and pattypan, grows fast and needs frequent harvesting to keep plants producing. Over the years, I’ve learned that timing is everything—picking squash at the right stage not only improves flavor and texture but also encourages more fruit to develop. Harvest too late, and the squash becomes tough and seedy; […] More
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Harvesting & Storing Winter Squash for Long-Term Use
Winter squash is one of the best crops for long-term storage, providing homegrown food well into the colder months—but only if it’s harvested at the right time and properly cured and stored. Over the years, I’ve learned firsthand that timing is key when picking squash—harvest too early, and the flavor and storage life suffer; wait […] More
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Eight Ways to Cook and Serve Summer Squash
Summer or tender squash can be sautéed, steamed, boiled, baked, grilled, microwaved, or eaten raw. Use raw tender squash as an addition to crudités trays and salads The tender summer squashes–zucchini, Costata Romanesca, round and globe, scallop or pattypan, yellow crookneck, and yellow straightneck, and Zephyr–mature during the summer and can be claimed as baby […] More
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How to Prevent and Treat Squash Pests and Diseases Naturally
Growing squash is incredibly rewarding, but if you’ve ever battled squash vine borers, aphids, or powdery mildew, you know how quickly pests and diseases can take over. Over the years, I’ve dealt with my fair share of squash plant problems—watching healthy vines suddenly wilt, fruit fail to develop, and leaves become covered in white fungal […] More
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Corn, Beans, and Squash: The Three Sisters
Sometimes one vegetable crop can help another vegetable crop grow better just by being nearby. For example lettuce and spinach often grow better in the shade of a taller plant. Growing two or more crops in close proximity for a shared benefit is called companion planting. A classic planting of three garden companions is corn, […] More
Stephen Albert
