Use these tips to produce and harvest yummy butternuts , delicata , pumpkins , and more .
Winter squashes(Cucurbitaspp . ) are cognize for their hard cutis , which protects the gourd through the free fall , wintertime , and sometimes spring , calculate on the potpourri . wintertime squeeze requires a long growing season , but little maintenance ( beyond unconstipated watering ) between planting and harvesting . They want more time , infinite , and aid thansummer squeeze , but are well worth the attempt and wait .
There are dozens of diverseness ofwinter squash — all of which ( including pumpkin ) sport edible flesh . Of course , the amount of available form varies by eccentric , as does the flavour and grain . So , if you loveroasted squashorhomemade pumpkin pie , you are just 60 to 100 days away from making those saucer with winter squash that you produce yourself .
Credit:Helen Norman
Helen Norman
Where to Plant Winter Squash
Winter squash plant need lots of infinite to grow . Most require at least 4 to 6 understructure to spread out , but some pumpkins can sprawl up to 15 foot . They ’ll take over a garden quickly if not put up with plenty of elbow room . If you lack space , produce small - fruit wintertime squash verticallyon asturdy trellisor opt for a bush - like cultivar . prominent squash is too large to trellis .
All types of squash racquets require six to eight hours of full sun each twenty-four hour period and racy , well - drain garden soil .
How and When to Plant Winter Squash
The best elbow room to grow wintertime squash racquets is from seed , and you do n’t need tostart them indoors like some vegetables . These ejaculate necessitate strong soil , so you should wait at least two to three weeksafter the last frost datein your area to inseminate the cum . If you put the seed in the basis too early , they will rot .
To plant your semen , make hills of dirt about 1 foot in diameter . Mound them up a few inches to improve drainage and give the seed an copiousness of dependable soil to grow in . Leave plenty of room—5 to 6 foot — between hill unless you are planting a bush smorgasbord squash . When the ambient temperature reaches 65 ° degree Fahrenheit , put four to six seminal fluid in a hill and brood them with 1 in of soil . They postulate fondness to sprout .
As the plant come forth , thin out every other seedling until you have two or three plants on one hill . As plants grow and sprawl , utilize a straw mulchunderneath your pumpkins and squash to forestall them from being discolour or disfigure from sitting on the ground .
Credit:Rob Cardillo
Rob Cardillo
Winter Squash Care Tips
Light
Winter squeeze plant require six to eight hour of direct sunshine daily .
Soil and Water
wintertime squash plant grow well in deep , well - draining soil with a pH reach of 6.0 - 6.5.Test your dirt ’s pHand amend it if necessary to reach this range .
Once the flora meet out , they take a reasonable amount of water , so a consistent watering plan is crucial . Winter squash need at least 1 inch of water weekly from rain or irrigation . Water the plant at the soil leveland keep the leaves and fruit as ironical as possible to minimize plant diseases . Adrip hosiery or dipsomaniac hoseis handy for this purpose . melt off watering as your winter squash vine mature to fend off rot .
Temperature and Humidity
Most wintertime crush prefer warm conditions and grow best in 50 ° F to 90 ° degree Fahrenheit . wintertime mash works tolerate lightheaded Robert Frost for shortsighted periods . A light hoarfrost that bolt down the squash vine might not wipe out the yield ; it can be harvested if mature and undamaged . If cold temperature are forecast , protect the plants from frostwith tarp or blanket .
crush plants tolerate a wide range of humidity level as long as they find water on a regular basis .
Fertilizer
If your land is enriched with compost at planting time , supplementary plant food may not be take . If you do n’t have compost , work three to four pounding of a10 - 10 - 10 fertilizerinto every 100 square metrical foot of garden space before planting .
Many gardener also recommend an software of organicliquid fertilizerwhen the flora start to bloom and again a month later , watch over the product focus .
Pruning
Pruning is not need , but cutting back a few non - producing vines at their alkali may improve the size of the developing fruit on the remaining vine .
Potting and Repotting
A single squash works can develop well outdoors in a 5 - Imperial gallon container fulfill with well - drainingpotting mix(not heavier garden ground ) as long as all its other needs are encounter — especially the sunlight and water requirements . A bush assortment is a well fit for a container than a vining type of squash racquets , although both are possible .
Winter squash plants do not take well to transplant , so be sure to take a container large enough to accommodate the plant ’s fledged size of it .
Pests and Problems
pumpkin and squash haveseveral cuss that can plague them . Keep a close eye on your squash , and when you see yellowing leaves or hole , do a short investigating .
The main pests that afflict winter squash arecucumber beetles . These are easy to control if there are a few here and there , but a hard infestation can waste your crop .
Since winter squash vine is eatable , attend for innate solutions to control pest . The easiest and most effective way of life to disembarrass your mend of beetle is to manually pick them off as you see them . Garden centre also trade unlike types of maw — the most common being a sticky sand trap to put in your plot .
Credit: Jason Donnelly
If your garden is prone to issues , search for squash varieties that are more disease- and pest - resistant to minimize problems .
How to Propagate Winter Squash
The loose way to broadcast wintertime squash rackets is via cutting or by collecting seed . Just be aware that the resulting yield may not be precisely like the parent plant ' fruit . Winter squash tends to cross - pollinate with other squash and pumpkins .
If you are n’t concerned with cross - pollination , abridge open any mature yield and remove the germ . Wash the pulp from the seeds and spread them across a paper towel to dry . Place the towel with the seeds in a wry area away from lineal sunlight . After a hebdomad , store the dry cum in an gasbag . mark them and keep the seed in a coolheaded , dry place until you are quick to sow them .
wintertime squash can also be propagated by takingstem cuttingsfrom tidy industrial plant . Each press clipping should hold at least two or three nodes . enclose your cuttings into dope filled with well - debilitate potting mixing and put them in a ardent , bright sluttish localisation ( not verbatim Dominicus ) . Keep them well watered , and the stem cuttings should start to form roots in a span of weeks . When your plants have rooted , move them to the gardenafter a week of harden off . This process is usually used only with curt - time of year squash .
Credit:Carson Downing
Harvesting Winter Squash
When pumpkin vine and othertypes of wintertime squashreach the sizing you expect them to be , it ’s harvest time . calculate for fruits that do n’t have blemishes or cut . The skin should feel firm ( not mushy ) , and the fruit should feel laborious for its size due to the teemingness of moisture at heart . Make certain to cut off the stem when harvest — don’t tear it . Store pumpkins and squash in a cool , teetotal spot so they wo n’t molder .
Types of Winter Squash
Pumpkin
Pumpkins(Cucurbita pepo)are rise in nigh all zones ( 2 - 11 ) and issue forth in scads of varieties from mini to giant . Most have been breed to be cosmetic , but some are meant for eating . Plus their seeds are eatable . The vines may reach 15 foot in distance .
Butternut Squash
Carson Downing
Withbutternut squash(Cucurbita moschata‘Butternut ’ ) , the name says it all — you do n’t ask to add butter . Butternut squash has tan - coloured skin and orange - yellowed , fresh flesh . As an annual , it thrives during warm atmospheric condition in geographical zone 2 - 11 .
Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash(Cucurbita pepo)has a unique grain . It is a reliable crop in zone 2 - 11 and grow on 8 foot vines with large , heart - shape leaves . Its jaundiced pulp create noodle - like strand that are a tasty miserable - carb alternative to pasta .
Delicata Squash
The peel of delicata squash ( Cucurbita pepo‘Delicata ’ ) is thin andtender enough to eat after cooking , which sets it apart from other winter squash mixture . Its small size makes it an ideal candidate for slicing or stuffing with a woof of your selection .
Acorn Squash
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Acorn squashthrive in zones 3 - 11 but fare best in mild mood . These ridged , acorn - shape calabash feature dreary green skin with patches of orange tree and lily-livered as well as sweet , icteric - orange tree human body .
Winter Squash Companion Plants
Corn
Bob Stefko
Cornis one part of the traditional plant partnership known as the Three Sisters ( squash , beans , and corn ) . Corn is often arise with wintertime squash because the vines cover the territory to keep down weeds and retain soil wet . Meanwhile , the corn stalking offer a sturdy support for beans ( another of the sister ) to spring up on .
Beans
Dana Gallagher
Pole beansare atomic number 7 - fix plant that improve the soil for both squash vine and corn . The beans gain by using the maize as a documentation for climb up . They are easy to grow from ejaculate sown directly in the garden .
Dill
Aromatic dillrepels squash microbe and other insect , so it is a welcome addition to a garden plot with winter squash . It ’s also a best-loved food for thought for black swallow-tailed coat caterpillars , and its small yellow flowers are excellent for attracting a variety of pollinators .
Frequently Asked Questions
wintertime squash with no spots or bruises will keep for several month when stored in a coolheaded , teetotal spot , such as a basement . Ideally , the temperature should be 50 ° F to 60 ° F with the humidness at 50 % .
Wait for the winter squeeze to cure for a calendar month before eating it . The flavor of most squashes improves during that sentence . A delicata squash is an exception to this ; it should be wipe out mighty by for the good savor .
you’re able to , but fix it before suspend . Peel it , bump off the seeds , and cut the squash vine into objet d’art . Blanch the pieces in simmering water briefly . After they cool off , store the pieces in pocketbook in the freezer for up to 12 months .
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