Squash in Your Garden University of California Cooperative Extension Stanislaus County June 2007

Squash belong to the family acorn, banana, spaghetti and Cucurbitaceae, which includes Hubbard squash. gourds, melons, cucumbers and pumpkins. SQUASH PLANTS & SEEDS SQUASH TYPES Summer and winter squash Squash are broken into two are normally planted from the bottom of the page from the groups: summer and winter. seed, and many varieties are University of Georgia has more These categories are available at local nurseries detailed information and an explained more fully below. and garden centers. Catalogs excellent illustration on which can also be a good source for crops will cross-pollinate. Summer finding seeds. Summer squash is picked and BUSH VS VINE eaten as immature fruit during Some varieties of summer When purchasing seeds, the the summer as its name squash are available as small packet will note whether the suggests. Types of summer plants at local nurseries and variety is “bush” or “vine.” squash include yellow, gardening centers. Commonly Bush types are ideal for straight or crookneck squash, found types include gardeners with limited space, as zucchini squash and white, crookneck and zucchini they only need 2-4 feet between saucer-shaped scallop or patty squash. them. If the packet does not use pan squash. Seeds and plants for squash the word “bush”, assume the Winter should be planted after the plant is a vine and needs at least The name “winter” squash possibility of frost has passed. 8 feet of space. Vines can also can be a bit misleading. This In Stanislaus County, this is be grown on a strong trellis, squash can be eaten in the usually after March 21st (10% with the squash hanging down. summer, fall, or winter chance of frost after this date). PLANTING SQUASH depending on how you wish Squash are generally grown on to use it. POLLINATION MYTH Often gardeners worry that mounds surrounded by an In summer, winter squash can planting squash, melons, irrigation furrow. Mounds be harvested small and eaten cucumbers and pumpkins in should be flat on top so water like summer squash. More their garden will result in flowing through irrigation commonly, winter squash is undesirable fruit due to furrows can be absorbed. See harvested and eaten in the fall, cross-pollination. illustration at the bottom of the or “cured” and stored for use Cross-pollination is not next page. Plant 2-3 seeds per in the winter. Storage times something most gardeners mound 1 inch deep. While seeds vary depending on the variety, need to worry about, as it are sprouting and growing, keep See the table at the end of this affects only the seeds and not soil moist. Once seedlings guide for more information. the crop. Gardeners who save emerge and become healthy seeds to plant the following plants, thin to one plant per Familiar winter squash year should use caution when mound. varieties found in the planting certain species in the Deep water squash plants, supermarket include butternut, cucurbit family. The link at

http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/L232.htm

Squash in Your Garden soaking the root zone to at Male flowers can be flower may be picked, it’s least 4 feet. Between watering, recognized by their long, leaves removed and the pollen

allow soil to dry slightly, as slender stem, while female bearing structure (anthers) can squash roots need oxygen as flowers have a short stem and a be rolled onto the structure well as water to thrive. small miniature fruit, or ovary, (stigma) in the middle of the

at the base of the flower. female flower. This is a When Central Valley labor-intensive and time temperatures reach 100°F , The first few flowers on your consuming process. plants may wilt-even if squash plant may drop off, watered adequately. This is a which is normal. This is PESTS temporary condition and plants because male flowers begin to Common insect pests of should revive that night or by bloom before female flowers. squash include the cucumber the next morning. If plants do Fruit set will occur later when beetle as well as the squash not revive, this means not both male and female flowers bug. enough water is soaking into are open at the same time. the root zone. Cucumber beetles resemble After fruit set, some small lady beetles but are shiny and Sprinkler irrigation is not fruits may also drop off. This is greenish-yellow. Their larvae recommended when growing a part of the natural thinning feed exclusively on roots and squash, as it won’t provide process done by the plant to usually don’t cause substantial deep water for the plants and ensure surviving fruits reach damage to the plant. may even encourage some full size. Cucumber beetle adults, diseases. however, are difficult to If fruits continually drop and control. Place a protective Squash prefer to grow in soil never set fruit, the plant may covering over young seedlings rich in organic matter, so add be over-watered or over- and plants until they are old plenty of compost, composted fertilized. If you are watering enough to withstand damage. manure or humus before correctly and not over-applying Squash bugs are 5/8” long planting. If fertilizer is needed, fertilizer, the problem might be with brownish black bodies. purchase a vegetable fertilizer due to an insufficient number Abdomens may be orange or with a nutrient analysis of of bees in your area. orange-striped. When 10-10-5 or 12-12-12, or similar BEES & POLLINATION crushed, this insect has a numbers. disagreeable odor. Adults are If you have planted squash FRUIT SET without success in the past, it very difficult to kill. Pick Squash and other cucurbits are may be due to an insufficient bugs off or hold a bucket monoecious, meaning they number of honeybees in your of soapy hot water and knock have both male and female neighborhood. bugs into it while walking flowers on the same plant. Pollen is transferred between Hand pollination can be male and female flowers by done using a small honeybees, although other paintbrush to transfer flying insects do play a small pollen from the male part. flower to the female flower. Or, the male

Squash in Your Garden Cucumber beetle Squash bug “blossom end rot.” This that week, or “cure” for later disorder is common in sandy use. To do this, place the

soils with low organic matter. squash in a dark place for 10 Be sure the crop is well days at 80-85°F. Then, store watered, but also allow the soil in a dark, dry place at 50-60°F to dry out slightly between for several months. Ensure watering. In some cases, the squash chosen to keep are free crop will benefit from an from damage or they will rot through your garden. application of calcium and cause the rest of your

To prevent insects from living fertilizer. squash harvest to rot.

in your garden during winter For more information about Winter squash have various and reappearing the following pests, diseases and keeping times; see the table at year, destroy all vegetation by environmental disorders of the end of this guide for more tilling it into the soil or by squash, consult the link below information. composting. or visit the UC Cooperative SQUASH BLOSSOMS DISEASES Extension Office. In some cultures it is All Cucurbits are susceptible to HARVEST customary to consume squash powdery mildew, a fungus Harvest summer squash when blossoms. They are said to with a fluffy, whitish cast. To small for best flavor. Use a have a delicate, zucchini-like control it, avoid the use of knife to cut fruit from the vine, flavor. Pumpkin and zucchini overhead sprinklers. In some leaving a small stem on the blossoms are generally used. cases, fungicides may be squash. Gloves are helpful Winter squash blossoms are needed. Consult the UC when harvesting, as plants and too bitter to be eaten. If you Cooperative Extension office fruits are prickly. Several are worried about not getting or a local qualified nursery varieties of zucchini guarantee enough squash, pick only professional for more a “painless harvest.” Two such male blossoms as they do not information. varieties are ‘Spineless Beauty’ set fruit.

ENVIRONMENTAL and ‘Garden Spineless.’ Squash blossoms can be DISORDERS Winter squash are ready to grilled, stuffed, sautéed, fried If fruit and flowers continually harvest when the rind hardens or put into soups. Pick drop and fruit doesn’t set, the and the skin takes on a dull blossoms and use them in the problem may be related to cast. Check the rind with a same day. insufficient pollination. Follow fingernail; if the skin can’t be directions given under the dented, the squash is ready. If HEALTH BENEFITS “Fruit Set” section of this possible, allow squash to stay Summer and winter squash guide. on the vine until the vine are full of fiber, beta carotene, vitamin ‘C’, niacin, If fruit sets on the vine but begins to die. potassium, manganese, begins to show small, light When harvesting winter magnesium, calcium and iron. brown spots on the blossom squash, use a knife and leave a end of the fruit that turn 2 inch stem on the squash to leathery, the problem may be help it last longer. Eat squash

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/squash.html Squash in Your Garden Guide Days to Summer Squash Maturity Comments Crook Neck 50-53 Yellow-colored rind. Harvest when fruits are small (4-6” long) for best flavor. Cucuzzi 55-60 Use when 1” in diameter and 6” long. Seeds can be difficult to start, ensure proper moisture is maintained. Can be kept on the vine and dried for use as a gourd. (not a true summer squash). Patty Pan/Scallop 45-52 Pick when 3” across. Has a thin skin and mild squash flavor. Straightneck 48-50 Yellow colored rind. Harvest when small for best flavor. Zucchini 48-50 Harvest when small for adding to dishes, a little larger for stuffing. Some types are round and ideal for stuffing, such as ‘Roly Poly’ or ‘Eight Ball’.

Winter Squash

Acorn 75-100 Most have golden-yellow to orange flesh that is sweet flavored. Easy to use as a single serving vegetable when stuffed. Storage time: 5-8 weeks, do not “cure”. Banana 100-120 Ivory to pink, the flesh is finely textured and sweet. Can weigh up to 10 pounds. Storage time: 5-6 months. Buttercup 95-105 Turban-shaped with yellow flesh. Sweeter than most varieties of squash and is often used as a substitute for sweet potatoes. Gets sweeter after a few weeks of storage. Storage time: 2-3 months. Butternut 75-120 Days to maturity depends upon variety. Most have deep orange flesh with a nutty flavor. Can be somewhat watery. Some varieties are used to make pie. Storage time: 2-3 months. Delicata 75-85 This squash can be eaten rind and all. It has a creamy pulp that is similar in taste to sweet potatoes. Storage time: 2-3 months. Squash in Your Garden Guide Days to Winter Squash Maturity Comments Hubbard 100-105 Can weigh up to 20 pounds. Extremely hard rind means it can be stored for a long time. Has deep orange flesh that is very sweet. Makes excellent pumpkin pie. Storage time: 5-6 months.

Kabocha 85-100 Also known as the “Japanese Pumpkin”. Has a rich, sweet flavor. The flesh is dry and flaky and gets sweeter after a few weeks of storage. Storage time: 2-3 months. Spaghetti 80-100 Yellow to cream colored flesh comes out in strands when baked. Flesh is mild with a nut-like flavor. Storage time: 2-3 months. Turban 90-100 Colors vary from bright orange to green or white. Golden yellow flesh tastes somewhat like hazel- nuts. A popular squash for use in decorations. Storage time: 2-3 months.

Squash in Your Garden BIBLIOGRAPHY Pumpkins. University of California: AUTHOR Davis, CA. B. Rosie Lerner. (2001). Yard and Anne Schellman; UCCE Stanislaus Garden News: Harvest Winter Page 3 illustrations retrieved from County, 3800 Cornucopia Way Ste. Squash this Summer. Purdue North Carolina Cooperative A, Modesto, CA 95358. University: West Lafayette, Indiana. Extension Service at http:// e-mail: [email protected] Retrieved on May 10th, 2007 from www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/ The University of California prohibits discrimina- http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/ Vegetables/veg025e/veg025e.htm. tion or harassment of any person on the basis of winsquash.html. AND Ohio State University race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender Extension Fact Sheet at http:// identity, pregnancy (including childbirth, and Hall, H., Wada, S. & Voss, R.E. medical conditions related to pregnancy or child- ohioline.osu.edu/hyg- birth), physical or mental disability, medical (1975). Vegetable Gardening: fact/2000/2141.html on May 25, condition (cancer-related or genetic characteris- Growing Squash and Pumpkins. 2007. tics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orienta- University of California: Davis, CA. tion, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran (covered veterans are special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Vietnam era veter- Hefelbower, R., Drost, D. (2004). ans, or any other veterans who served on active Summer and Winter Squash in the duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition Garden. Retrieved May 15, 2007 for which a campaign badge has been authorized) in any of its programs or activities. from http://72.14.253.104/search? q=cache:e9dSlh8UxWYJ:extension. University policy is intended to be consistent with usu.edu/boxelder/files/uploads/ the provisions of applicable State and Federal laws. squashpr.pdf+summer+winter+squa sh&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=us. Inquiries regarding the University’s nondiscrimi- nation policies may be directed to the Affirmative McLaurin, W. (2000). Pollination of Action/Equal Opportunity Director, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Vegetable Crops . University of 1111 Franklin St., 6 th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607, Georgia. Retrieved May 24, 2007 (510) 987-0096. from http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/ caespubs/pubcd/L232.htm.

University of Illinois Extension. Harvesting and Storing of Pumpkins, Winter Squash and Gourds. Retrieved on May 25, 2007 from http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/ gardenerscorner/issue_01/ fall_04_04.html.

University of Illinois Extension. Winter Squash . Retrieved on May 15, 2007 from http:// www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/ wsquash1.html.

W. Atlee & Burpee Co. (2007). Retrieved on May 22, 2007 from http://www.burpee.com/category/ vegetables.do.

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page 2 illustration taken and modified from: Hall, H., Wada, S. & Voss, R.E. (1975). Vegetable Gardening: Growing Squash and