Mistakes to Avoid when Growing Squash

Squash is native to many different parts of the world. It can refer to summer, winter or autumn squash, depending on when the vegetable is harvested. Squash is a type of gourd vegetable that also contains pumpkins and zucchini.

As far as vegetables go, squash is fairly easy to grow. But there are still some mistakes for you to avoid when growing squash.

Failing to Check the Soil

A lot of would-be gardeners simply grab a package of seeds and start planting without knowing what type of soil they have. Before you plant your squash, make sure to check the pH level and the temperature. Squash will do best with a soil pH of around 6.5, as well as a temperature that remains around 70 degrees F. Also, squash like loose, well-drained soil. You can add some organic compost to the soil to help with the drainage, if it becomes an issue.

Not Having Enough Space

Some varieties of squash produce vines that can crowd out other vegetables. When planting this type, such as winter squash, you will need a large gardening area. Read the seed package to determine what type of vining your variety will have. If it is semi-vining or a bush, a smaller garden plot will be appropriate.

Planting Too Close

You can plant squash in either rows or hills. Each method requires specific spacing for the squash to grow efficiently. When planting in rows, you must plant the seeds 2 1/2 feet apart. You should also space the rows at 2 and 1/2 feet, or even 3 feet if you have the room, from each other.

When planting in hills, the spacing is much greater. This method is for when you have a large garden and are growing large-vining squash. Each small round hill should be about 30 feet in diameter, with three to four seeds in each. Each hill resides 7 to 10 feet away from another one.

Watering Too Much

You don't need to water squash that much. Because the soil does not need to stay wet, infrequent watering is best. Drip irrigation is the best way to keep your plants watered, as the water will penetrate into the soil much better and keep the foliage dry. If the leaves stay too wet, a powdery mildew will form on them.

Using Fertilizers

Squash really only need the right soil in order to grow. Adding more fertilizer to the mix will only lead to rotting and disease. If you do fertilize your garden, use an organic compost to feed your plants.