How To Grow Summer Squash in Zone 9

Summer squash is a popular, high-yield crop in many gardening zones, including Zone 9 with its extended growing seasons and mild winters. As a plant with tropical origins, summer squash is actually extremely well suited to Zone 9 conditions, found in much of the southern United States as well as other regions. However, this zone can be so warm that summer squash could more accurately be called a spring and/or fall vegetable.

Things You'll Need

• squash seeds
• compost (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare soil by working in some compost if you have it.

2. Plant seeds directly outdoors once danger of frost has completely passed. In Zone 9, April is usually a good time to sow summer squash. Plant three to five seeds together, a couple of inches under the soil. Space seed groups several feet apart. Water generously after planting.

3. Thin the plants to one or two healthy specimens in each location once the seedlings are a few inches tall.

4. Keep a vigilant watch for pickle worms, the most common summer squash pest in Zone 9. The best defense against pickle worms is growing squash in the cooler parts of the season, but individually bagging the fruits as they appear may minimize the damage.

5. Expect to harvest a large amount of summer squash in June or July.

6. Start a second round of summer squash as a fall crop if you like. In Zone 9, squash planted in August or September will generally be ready for harvest before the first frost.

References

• Harvest to Table: How to Grow Summer Squash
• Gardening in Florida: Organic Control of Pickle Worms
• Zone 9 Planting Calendar