DIY Network

Squash 101 Squash 101 From "Fresh from the Garden" episode DFFG-104

Looking for a tasty vegetable to grow in your garden that doesn't require excessive labor -- but produces a bountiful harvest? Summer squash may be the perfect choice....

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	Figure A
	Figure B

Tools:

Hammer
Shovel
Nails
Lumber for trellis
String
Fertilizer
Squash seeds
Water and water hose

Squash Types

"Squash," by definition, refers to a diverse group of plants that originated from the cucumber family, along with gourds and pumpkins. Unlike winter squash, summer squash are harvested and eaten before the rinds get hard, while the fruit is small and tender. Summer squash are normally divided into 3 groups: yellow squash (figure A), zucchini and patty pan (figure B). Squash like to grow on raised beds since they need deep, well-drained soil to thrive ....

	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Plant It!

1. Squash have long, spiky stems! Make wide rows in your garden to avoid getting scratched while harvesting or weeding around the plants. Use a hoe to from the rows, spacing them at least 18 inches apart.

2. Mound up soil (figure C) to form the raised beds and prepare to begin planting on top of the mounds. Yellow squash, the most commonly grown of all summer squash, is what we're starting with here. It's perfect for the beginner gardener because it yields plenty of squash per plant and it's easy to grow! All yellow squash have necks smaller then their bodies; because of this, they're also known as "constricted neck squash." Crookneck squash are what most people picture when they think of yellow squash, but there are also hybrid and specialty types.

3. Follow the instructions on the seed packet and place 3-4 seeds together in each planting position. Use a pen to create small holes for the seeds. Mark the pen with white tape at a one-inch depth (figure D) so you'll know how deep the seed needs to go. Once the seeds are in the holes, use your hands to carefully cover the holes with dirt. Wooden popsicle sticks make good garden markers. Use them to label each type of seed to distinguish between the plants and indicate which variety is in each space.

4. Squash are heavy feeders, meaning they like fertilizer. Summer squash will produce a lot more fruit if they're given plenty of food. Place a small amount of 10-10-10 fertilizer around each of the seed groups to give them a jump-start. Fertilize only the area around the seeds to avoid wasting nutrients on areas where there are no plants; plus, excess fertilizer encourages weeds. Once the squash plants have leaves and stems, you'll need to give them more food. But keep in mind: too much fertilizer can burn young plants, so it's best to give them a little at a time. Now all that's left to do is water in the seeds and fertilizer (figure E).
   

There are many resources for seeds and seedlings. One of the better ways is through seed catalogs -- each year, most companies send out a new issue featuring their product listings and availability. These are often sent out in the fall to give customers enough time to choose the plants they'll use in next year's garden. Each year these companies compete to offer new types of seeds, especially heirloom and hybrids that are more difficult to find. Because of their popularity, many seeds are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, so order early and be sure that any selection you make will grow in your part of the country!