Crop Rotation Group
Cucurbits (Squash family)
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Soil
Well-drained soil enriched with plenty of compost.
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Position
Full sun.
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Frost tolerant
Cannot tolerate frost.
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Feeding
Drench plants with a liquid fertilizer when they begin to blossom and set fruits.
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Companions
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Spacing
Single Plants: 1' 11" (60cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 1' 11" (60cm) with 1' 11" (60cm) row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Sow seeds 1 inch deep in spring, either in rows or hills. Also may be started from seedlings started indoors or purchased at stores.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
Keep plantings small, to fewer than a dozen plants. Other types of summer squash help pollinate one another because they are of the same species.
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Harvesting
Harvest zucchini when they are young and tender, about 6 inches long, before the rinds begin to harden. Use a knife to cut fruits from the plants.
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Troubleshooting
Squash bugs and squash vine borers can be serious pests. Exclude them from young plantings with row covers.
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