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: 2' 11" (90cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 2' 11" (90cm) with 2' 11" (90cm) row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Sow seeds 1 inch (2 cm) deep in late spring or early summer, either in rows or hills. Also may be started from purchased seedlings.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
Most gourds grow into large, long-vined plants. Growing long gourds on a trellis helps them keep their shape. Grow at the edge of your garden to save space.
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Harvesting
Harvest gourds as late as possible, because gourds will not cure and store unless they are totally ripe. Cut gourds with a bit of stem attached, and move to a dry place to cure through winter.
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Troubleshooting
Squash bugs and squash vine borers can be serious pests. Exclude them from young plantings with row covers. Some gourds such as luffas rarely fruit well in northern latitudes.
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