Daylight Needs for Squash

Squash require lots of sunlight to grow

Squash are plants that belong to the cucurbita family of vegetables, which includes pumpkins as well. They come in two distinct types, winter squash and summer squash. The former have thick skins and can be stored for extended periods of time, while the latter are thin-skinned and have to be eaten quickly. Although they are easy to grow, squash have several requirements if they are to produce fruit successfully, such as the right amount of sunlight and the correct temperatures.

Sunlight

Squash need a lot of light to grow. They need to be planted somewhere where they will receive a large amount of direct sunlight -- no less than six hours a day. If they do not receive enough sunlight, you may find that your squash blossoms beautifully but does not produce fruit or produces small fruit that shrivel and fall off the plant within a few days.

Climate

As squash are a warm season crop they not only need lots of direct sunlight, they also need warm temperatures from the Sun as well. Their seeds germinate at temperatures above 15 degrees Fahrenheit, but grow best in temperatures of between 23 degrees Fahrenheit and 29 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 15 degrees Fahrenheit to 21 degrees Fahrenheit during the night. Low temperatures are bad for for squashes and exposure to frost -- even a few hours -- will kill them.

Too Much Sun

Although they like warm temperatures and direct sunlight, squash plants react badly if they receive too much. If there is too much, intense sunlight, the squash leaves might wither resulting in less nutrients being absorbed through photosynthesis, which can result in smaller fruit being produced. The best remedy is to provide some form of shading in the afternoon to lower the amount of direct sunlight they receive.

Contributing Factors

If you are planting your squash in an area that receives a lot of direct sunlight, consider planting them away from reflective objects, such as bright walls which only add to the amount of Sun radiation they receive. Not only will too much sunlight stunt the growth of the squash, but it can also result in Sun damage, such as sunburn.

References

• Free Plants: A Common Problem When Growing Squash
• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs: Pumpkin and Squash Production
• Cornell University Vegetable Growing Guides: Summer Squash
• Plant Answers: How Hot Weather Affects Plants