It is true; the world of squash is really confusing especially when so many varieties are available. Summer and winter are two main categories of squash and both the varieties offer different squashes. Different varieties of summer squash are typically eaten when they partially ripe in during the summer season whereas winter squashes are eaten when they ripe during winter. These varieties have thicker shells allowing them to last long for several months or weeks. It is one fruit which is easy to purchase from Squash suppliers in any season.
Did you know squash is one fruit, which people often grow at a home in a backyard or in a garden? Yes, you heard it right! Hubbard, Pumpkin, Zucchini, Spaghetti, Acorn and Butternut are few varieties, which are easy to grow at a home with the right knowledge and care. So, if you have a desire to grow squash, consider these growing and harvesting tips.
Best Time to Plant Squash: Both winter and summer squash are ideally grown in the minimum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius or 60 degrees Fahrenheit. You can grow the seeds of the squash either in your backyard or in your heated greenhouse minimum 2 to 3 weeks prior to the last frost date.
Space Required for Growing Squash: Generally, the squash plants require a lot of space to spread out. Based on the bush or vining variety you are growing, the spacing requirements vary. The bush variety requires plant spacing 15-20 inches apart with the row-wise spacing is 4-6 feet apart. When it comes to the vining types, the ideal space row gap is 6-12 feet with plant growing gaps be 12-15 inches apart.
Growing Seeds or Starter Squash Plant: The choice is yours. If you have enough time and remain patient with their growth, start with a seed. This is the most economical way, indeed. If you have not much time, you can start with a few starter squash plants. This method is ideal to adopt if you live in colder climates due to which the growing season tends to become short. You can contact squash distributors for purchasing squash starter plants or seeds.
Soil Requirements: The acidic soil with pH level in between 6.0 to 6.8 works the best for the growth of the squash plant. In case, the soil is too acidic, try adding lime in it.
Sunlight Requirement: All varieties of squash require enough sunlight to produce well. Ensure to plant your seeds or plants in an area getting minimum 6 hours of sunlight every day. But do remember that squash plant may start showing signs of drooping with stress if it receives more than the required sunlight. So, if your garden gets more than 7-8 hours of harsh sunlight, protect your produce by adding a cloth as a shade.
Water Requirement: One inch of water every week is the minimum water requirement for the plant. In case of mature squash plants, try to water them 8-12 inches beneath the surface to keep the soil moist. In case, weather is excessively hot or the soil is very sandy, give water a minimum two or three times in a week to plants.
When Squash becomes ready to Harvest: As compared to summer squash, winter squash needs more attention during harvesting. If you break the rind of the squash with your fingernail, it implies that summer squash is ready to harvest. On the contrary, if you are unable to break the rind of the winter squash variety with your fingernail and it has become deeply colored, it is ready to harvest.
Best Method to Harvest Squash: For this, cut its vine with a sharp object and clean pruners. Ensure to leave a minimum 2-4 inches of stem in it. The main goal is to harvest the squash with the stem as it protects the fruit from pests and rots. Moreover, doing so will also help in prolonging its storage. Therefore, while harvesting, try to handle the squash from the bottom instead of carrying its stem.
Best Way to Store Squash: This is one piece of information, which squash suppliers and distributors can share with their customers easily. The reason is they buy squash in bulk quantities from farms and store it in their warehouses. Try to store the squash in a well-ventilated area with a steady temperature of 10-12 degrees Celsius or 50-55 degrees F with moderate humidity.
However, if you are not in the mood to grow squash due to space constraint, buy them from reputed squash distributors and suppliers, PampaStore. You will get fresh and different varieties of fruits and vegetables at affordable rates from the online platform. So, place your order now!