How to Care for Squash Plants

An easy-to-grow vegetable, squash plants come in many varieties and grow quickly. They typically mature about two months after you plant them and will continue to produce vegetables all through the summer season. Squash plants do best in soil that remains around 70 degrees. Proper care for squash plants will give you a bountiful harvest of these vegetables all season long.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Pesticide
• Mulch
• Compost
• Manure
• Baking soda
• Empty spray bottle or garden sprayer
• Sharp knife

Instructions

1. Plant squash plants in an area with full sun to light shade. The location should also have well-drained soil.

2. Keep the soil moist. Give the plants a minimum of 1 inch of water once per week. Water the squash plants more if you've had no rain or if the temperature is extremely hot. Water the roots more than the foliage. Keep the soil moist but not soaked.

3. Apply a pesticide to the squash plants if they become infested with bugs or weeds. Follow the directions on the label of the pesticide for specific application instructions. You can use pesticides frequently, up until the point that the squash plant begins to produce flowers.

4. Place mulch around the base of the squash plant prior to the vines spreading. This will help to keep the soil moist and to maintain a steady temperature near the roots. Mix manure and compost into the soil when the squash plants are first planted and then replenish about every three weeks thereafter.

5. Prevent mildew from forming on the squash plant in warm, humid weather. This powdery mildew can be deadly to squash plants so it is important to take action to prevent it. Combine 3 tbsp. of baking soda with 1 gallon of water. Fill an empty spray bottle or garden hose sprayer with the mixture and spray the leaves of the plants every other week. Be sure to spray the underside of the leaves as well.

6. Harvest the squash when they're between 4 and 8 inches in length. This will generally be between 45 and 60 days after you plant them. Remove the squash from the plant by using a sharp knife and cut at the stem. Do not let the squash become too big, or they will harden and the plant will quit producing. Avoid pulling them off of the plant. Ideally, you should harvest squash every day to keep the plant producing. Pull off any dead leaves from the plant and cut the vines back to a manageable length when they become overgrown.

References

• Texas Gardener
• Garden Guides
• Squash Care