What to know about growing summer squash: Gardening column

Summer squash (Cucurbita pepo), including zucchini, crookneck, straightneck, and patty pan, is common in central New York vegetable gardens. Summer squash grows quickly, is early to harvest, and is usually eaten before seeds mature. 

Summer squash grows best and produces more fruit in warm weather.  

Plants have separate male and female flowers: a slender stem attaches male flowers to the plant while female flowers grow close to the main vine. Insects such as bees must move pollen from male flowers to female flowers to produce fruit. 

Growing tips. Avoid crowding plants; proper spacing is critical for reducing disease and pests. Plants need full sun, sufficient moisture, and well-drained soil containing organic matter such as compost. Summer squash are heavy water feeders; crops need about one inch of water from either rainfall or irrigation each week.  

To help attract more pollinators, consider adding ornamental flowers close to your squash plants. 

Problems. Good air circulation, removing weeds and garden debris, effective watering, regular harvesting and monitoring plants regularly will go a long way to avoiding issues.  

The University of Maryland Extension has a fact sheet providing pictures of potential problems and how to handle them. Visit https://extension.umd.edu/resource/key-common-problems-squash/. 

Harvest squash before they are too big. Smaller fruits will taste better. Squash blossoms are edible; harvest them the day they open. You can pick male flowers without hurting the yield of the plants. 

With its popularity and rich history, it's no wonder the National Garden Bureau (NGB) has designated 2024 as the Year of the Squash! For more information on growing summer or winter squash, visit the NBG website at https://ngb.org/year-of-plants/.  

Cornell's garden-based learning home gardening information website is another resource to help you grow summer squash and other vegetables. Visit http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/index.html. 

Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County answers home and garden questions which can be emailed tohomeandgarden@cornell.edu or call 315-736-3394, press 1 and ext. 333. Leave your question, name and phone number. Questions are answered weekdays, 8am to 4pm. Also, visit our website athttp://cceoneida.com/ or phone 315-736-3394, press 1 and then ext.100.