Tips for Growing Your Own Squash

Squash is a fantastically easy and fun plant to grow. There are so many varieties of squash, from acorn to zucchini. Pumpkins are a variety of squash also! Some squash plants can vine, and also have beautiful flowers, which makes them a pretty addition to your garden. I also love to eat all kinds of squash; they are versatile and extremely healthy. So, lets get started growing some squash!

Whether you decide to start from seed or plant, be selective when making your purchases. I enjoy using organic plants and seeds and find they are pretty available at your local nursery. Decide what type of squash you are going to grow and make sure it is the correct time to plant. Winter squash such as acorn and hubbard should be planted in the fall, while zucchini should be planted during the spring.

After you make your selection of plants or seeds, you need to ready your soil. Squash love happy and healthy soil, so it is a good idea to till and fertilize your soil well before planting. Nature's Touch (http://www.naturestouch.com) makes a nice organic plant fertilizer that will help create wonderful squash. If you compost, it's a great idea to till some into your soil before planting. Squash love the sun; so find a good spot full of sun with ample space for your squash. Plant your squash plants or seedlings at least 1 inch deep and 5 inches apart. Give your freshly planted squash a little water and let them grow!

While your plants are maturing, make sure to water them every 3 days or so and keep them free of weeds. Keep fertilizing your plants to encourage healthy growth and good squash production. You can also continue to add your compost or cover with mulch. There are a few pests that may be attracted to your squash, so keep a close eye on your plants. If you see signs of pest or disease, you can find a treatment at your local nursery.

Summer squashes will take two to three months to reach full maturity and winter squash up to four months. If you are growing a vining variety, make sure to carefully turn and direct vines as they grow. Try to keep vines from bundling as they will rot and not produce healthy squash. Make sure to harvest your squash when they are ready. If you leave squash too long on the vine, they will become hard and bitter.

With patience and some positive attention, in a couple months you will have a bounty of squash! Now it is harvesting time. Make sure to cut your squash with care from your plants. Plants produce lots of squash, so share your wonderful squash with others as well as enjoying them yourself!

Source:

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