Highlights
Growing wintertime squash is a rewarding endeavor that yields delicious , alimentary , and versatile veg . With its relatively comfortable refinement and long storage voltage , winter squash is a staple in manyhome gardens . Thiscomprehensive guidewill render you with all the crucial selective information you demand to grow wintertime squash successfully , ensuring abountiful harvest home seasonafter time of year .
Choosing the Right Varieties
The first step ingrowingwinter squashis selecting the right diverseness for your climate and preferences . There are several types of wintertime mash to opt from , each with its unique characteristics :
Preparing the Soil
wintertime squash requires well - drained , fertile soilwith a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 . Prepare the soil by till it to a depth of 12 - 18 in and add plenty of constitutional matter , such as compost or manure . This willimprove soil bodily structure , drainage , and nutritious subject matter .
Starting Seeds Indoors
If you live in a short - season area , take up seed indoors is urge . Sow seed in peat pots or seed tray filled with a seed - start premix . Keep thesoil moistand ardent ( 70 - 80 ° F ) untilgermination occurs , which typically takes 5 - 10 years .
Transplanting Outdoors
When the seedling have develop their first set oftrue leaves , they are ready to be transplanted outside . Harden off the seedling by step by step exposing them tooutdoor conditionsfor a few hours each 24-hour interval . opt a gay spot with well - drained soiland blank space the plant life 3 - 4 feet aside .
Watering and Fertilizing
Water winter squash flora deep and regularly , especially during dry spells . Avoid overwatering , assoggy soilcan run toroot bunk . Fertilize the plant life every few hebdomad with a balanced fertilizer , such as 10 - 10 - 10 .
Pollination
Winter squelch plants are monecious , have in mind they have both male andfemale flowerson the same flora . However , the manlike efflorescence typically afford sooner than the female flowers . To ensure pollination , you could hand - pollenate the flowers by remove pollen from the male to the female flowers using asmall paintbrushor cotton swab .
Pest and Disease Control
wintertime mash flora can be susceptible to a assortment of pest and disease , include squash vine borers , powdery mildew , and pubescent mildew . use good garden hygienics byremoving infected works partsandrotating cropsto keep the spread of disease . you’re able to also use organic pest restraint methods , such as neem crude oil or insecticidal scoop , to control pests .
Harvesting and Storage
wintertime squash is ready to harvest when the cutis becomes concentrated and thestem plow brownand ironical . curve the fruit from the vine with asharp knife , leave a few inches of base attached . Store winter squash in a cool , wry place(45 - 55 ° farad ) with good ventilation . Properly salt away , wintertime squash racquets can last for several month .
Beyond the Basics
Companion Planting
associate planting canbenefit winter squashby improving growth and discourage pest . Considerplanting squashwith bean , corn , or marigolds . Beans fix nitrogen in the grunge , corn offer shade for thesquash plant , and marigolds repel insects .
Trellising
Trellising wintertime squash plants cansave spaceandimprove air circulation , reduce the risk of disease . Use a trellis made of wood , metallic element , or string to corroborate the vines as they arise .
Winterizing Squash
Incold climates , wintertime squash plantscan be protected from frost by covering them with blanket , straw , or charge card . This will serve extend thegrowing seasonand ensure a larger harvest .
Harvesting Seeds
Saving seed fromwinter squashis a great mode to preserve varieties andsave money . Allow the yield tofully matureon the vine and then harvest the seeds from the centre cavity . Clean and dry the seeds thoroughly before storing them in a cool , dry lieu .
Common Questions and Answers
Q : When is the best time to set winter squash?A : industrial plant seed indoors6 - 8 weeks before the lastfrost engagement . Transplant seedlings alfresco when the soil has warmed to at least 60 ° F.Q : How often should I irrigate winter squash plants?A : Water deeplyand regularly , specially during dry spell . head off overwatering , as sloughy land can lead to root rot . Q : What are thecommon pestsand disease that affect wintertime squash plants?A : Common pestis include mash vine borers , squeeze bugs , and aphid . mutual disease include powdery mildew , downy mildew , and bloom end bunk . Q : How long does it take forwinter squashto mature?A : Winter squelch typically maturesin 90 - 120 day .
