Growing Squash from Sowing to Harvest

[@aliciadupuy9228]

Its like going to school, but i actually get to learn relevant stuff as needed.

[@GrowVeg]

That’s the beauty of KZbin! 😀

[@negrildoc]

The English accent and his expressions are so delightful...long live England

[@brittanyhart5542]

I've been a serious gardener for about 7 years. And you just blew my mind! The planting pots near vegetation so it feeds roots as needed🤯 why didnt I know about this?!?! Also I always wondered why my winter squash never made it past Christmas, I wasnt curing it. Thank you for this valuable information💜

[@GrowVeg]

Glad the video's been useful. Yes, curing is the secret to good storage.

[@TuttleScott]

squash are so easy to grow they were very encouraging when I was a beginning gardener.

[@TwinKarma1]

I plant my pumpkin and butternut plants into to mound (3 per mound) . In the center of each mound I insert a section of PVC pipe (10 inch) that I drill holes in and I cover the top with some screen attached with duck tape ( so chip mucks don't fall in and drown). So when I water I just fill the tubes and the leaves don't get wet, the water goes right to the roots. Works great

[@GrowVeg]

That's an awesome idea. Thanks for sharing.

[@denaude7058]

Hello from South Africa.Just Planted hubbard and gem squash in my back garden.

[@GrowVeg]

Hope they grow well for you this season - enjoy!

[@strenuousbobbykushner]

Informative video! Keep on with it! :)

[@GrowVeg]

Will do, thanks Bobby.

[@strenuousbobbykushner]

@@GrowVeg I'll continue to follow your content, Ben :)

[@languagelearningdabbler]

My kids wanted to plant seeds on Earth Day so we planted some squash seeds. We have no idea what we’re doing but it’s amazing how much they’ve grown in a month! 🌱

[@GrowVeg]

You're doing well then!

[@Pstrokrotka]

I've heard that it is good to soak the pumpkin seeds for about 24-48 hours before sawing - it speeds up germination because it makes the burs softer and it's easier for the plants to get out.

[@DebRoo11]

Or just water your seeds after you plant them.

[@ThatBritishHomestead]

It was an amazing squash harvest this year

[@jilldench1404]

I like the butternut squash Hunter. I start off in pots first then plant out. Always successful in South of England

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for the recommendation. May try that one out.

[@dewaldsteyn1306]

South of england you say? Isnt that a cold place? Or did the internet once lie to me?

[@annestudley8235]

My favourite winter squash (the only kind I grow) are honeynut, sweet mama buttercup, and silver bells.

[@GrowVeg]

Lovely stuff!

[@DebRoo11]

I have honeynuts and pie pumpkins growing up a cattle panel arch trellis this year. They're loaded with fruits! Honeynuts are my favorite, they're sweet as candy when halved and roasted

[@daisygurl3601]

Planting butternut squash for the first time this season. My favorite soup is butternut squash made with coconut milk. Good to know they will keep for up to 6 months. That's a lot of soup! Thank you as always. daisy Go Forth. Do Good.

[@GrowVeg]

I've made sweet potato soup with coconut milk, so will definitely try butternut squash with coconut milk this year.

[@RoseFelton]

Squash is one of my most favorite vegetable to grow in the garden. We love eating it too so I plant several varieties....Patty Pan, Spagetti, Zucchini, Delicata, Acorn plus a few others. It is not only a delicious vegetable, but fun to grow too!

[@Jacq892]

I love the squash and grew it in my fall garden zone 9 vertical with cattle fence and roosts. Many delicious recipes favorite is roasted sprinkled with sage lemon juice and goat cheese. The plant finally fell to powdery mildew. This year I've planted my warm crop in a large bucket in my south side away from trees. Hopeful. Enjoy the videos.

[@Jacq892]

Roosts=t posts. Spellchecker!

[@congajoel]

For wetter climates cover tomatoes, zucchini and squash after July with clear plastic high enough to get under and letting the air pass through, to avoid mold and the use of fungicides

[@JFrenchRennier]

I am doing an experiment with butternut squash this year in 2 separate garden areas with limited direct sun in Louisiana. Thanks for the advice on hardening.

[@thecrazypotts]

how did it go??

[@JFrenchRennier]

@@thecrazypotts - less than anticipated. For some reason I grow magnificent plants that produce a few nice squash but not a maximum yield. Now I have massive cucumber, Peppers of all types, tomato's & beans but squashes of various varieties while they produce ok do not produce as they should. I will be sticking to broccoli in the Fall as I grow massive size heads.

[@andibenson6834]

Another smashing video from GrowVeg ! (get it ? Smashing Pumpkins ?) I use your videos a lot as training guides for volunteer workers in our Community Garden. Very clear and informative. Many thanks from Perth, Australia !

[@GrowVeg]

Ah thanks Andi - that's really humbling to here! And loving your pun there - can't beat them! Thanks for watching and sharing our videos - top bloke!

[@MegaMackproductions]

I just planted my flat white boer and gete okosomin seedlings!

[@chuckkottke]

Great better ways! You've improved my knowledge on common sense improved growing methods, learning they can be started up to one month early in the greenhouse, or started under mini cloches makes great sense in this "subarctic" Wisconsin area, and the tile under the squash makes excellent sense, vs. straw that seems to rot and bind to the spot where the squash rests. There's still time to start zucchinis (marrows), and Patty pans. Many thanks!!

[@jillgully104]

Moving to Colorado at 6.500' 8 years ago I have found pumpkins and squash do well here. The dry air prevents issues such as powdery mildew, and the cold deters the squash bugs. I prefer the Australian pumpkin varieties for their dense, nutty flesh - fabulous for a good curried pumpkin soup or delicious pumpkin bread and scones. Cook and puree flesh and freeze for later use. Favorites are Jarrahdale and Queensland Blue - both available from Baker Seeds in the US.

[@acolley2891]

Have you tried the Kamo Kamo from New Zealand? It's hardy and pretty. Tasty too

[@lisjang6162]

Hi. I’m a newbie with growing squash. Do I need to do something with the flowers? Or do I just leave them to do their thing? Thank you 😊

[@GrowVeg]

Just leave them to do their thing. :-)

[@only-vans]

ButterBush F1 , this squash will grow in a pot. great for SFG

[@thepros8314]

I'm planting butternut and yellow straight neck

[@pepecocomax]

I am really enjoying your channel. I really appreciate you sharing all your valuable knowledge with us. Great video.

[@mooretimeinthekitchen7635]

I love squashes. There are so many different varieties. I'm trying to grow some "table kings" this year.

[@zoebirrell3712]

Super helpful videos. First time growing squash. Trying butternut, green Hokkaido, Black Futsu and Uchiki Kuri. The Uchiki just aren’t germinating but all the others are doing well.

[@GrowVeg]

Some squash take much longer to germinate than others, so hopefully the Uchiki Kuri will be up soon.

[@jessywinters5350]

I love this guy! Thank you again :)

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers for watching Jessy!

[@marywatkins9438]

I start my squash indoors. I have gotten the best results that way.

[@Im-just-Stardust]

Good video learned quite a bit, cheers

[@AJ-bf6hw]

I ❤ all of your videos. Short and to the point 👉

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much! 😀

[@earthfriendlyfarm]

Absolutely wonderful videos. Love this guy. K

[@JoeOaken]

Thanks for the informative video!

[@LeoMaidelis]

I also had good luck with small sugar and long green bush

[@jayaom4946]

Thank you for this video. I love squash and wanted to try more of a variety of types but I'm a bit afraid of trying gardening. When a bunch of yummy winter squash grew up suddenly out of my messy compost pile I felt sure I could do this!! 😄

[@GrowVeg]

Good on you - winter squash are amazing!

[@theprettydamned]

I'm being brave (or daft) and going to try growing delicata or sunshine f1 in a 50 litre pot. Definitely more daft than brave, but if I get two fruits I'll count as success. Just need to keep that feed going in!

[@GrowVeg]

That is a good-sized pot though, so you should have some success with that I would imagine.

[@Andrewm714]

My favorite - I love delicata! I've had some success with that variety but in Seattle they're especially prone to powdery mildew - spritzing them about once per week with a few tbs of baking soda and a squirt of dish soap in a 5 gallon pump sprayer does the trick (the soap helps the soda stick, top and bottom of the leaves). I hope you enjoy more delicata than you ever dreamed you could grow!

[@maxheslop2890]

Your videos are always so informative :)

[@LeoMaidelis]

I had good luck with all green bush goldena and jack o lantern

[@fishing-gardening-travelling]

Its February in West London and I already sowed my pumpkin seeds indoors. I have no patience to wait until April.

[@GrowVeg]

Make sure to keep them free of frost. You may get away with sowing them so early in West London.

[@alwayspositive999]

Great video - very well explained

[@francesbatycki404]

What kind of soil would I use if I grew squashes in containers? Thank you.

[@GrowVeg]

Any all-purpose potting mix would be great. You will need to feed your squash once they start to flower, using a liquid tomato feed or anything with a higher potassium content.

[@francesbatycki404]

Thank you!

[@WildBoarChannel]

I like the butternut squash fries

[@ariannemainlandford4145]

Great video

[@bludelphinium994]

Thanks

[@roberth.9558]

Informative and well presented. Thank you.

[@DebRoo11]

My Tahitian squash plant has leaders that are growing 6 inches per day and are already 8-12 feet long in mid July. 😅. It's become quite a conversation piece with visitors and neighbors

[@GrowVeg]

Bit it looks very impressive!

[@rosetta6454]

Hi there, I only planted in June in UK. as an experiment. Just getting flowers now, however leaves are showing signs of yellowing, even though i make sure to only water the base not leaves. any ideas on whether these will actually produce pumpkins before winter frost arrives??

[@GrowVeg]

I'm really sorry, but I think it's highly unlikely they will produce pumpkins before the frosts. Next year, start plants off a bit earlier - sow in early April with a view to planting out mid May at the latest (with frost protection if necessary).

[@rosetta6454]

@@GrowVeg thanks for getting back to me. It was all really just an experiment, however now I know what they do when they grow, I will definitely seed and plant on time...👍👍

[@wonderfulherennow]

I live in Glasgow, Scotland. I'm not sure if I can grow winter squash out in the open, in my backyard. My greenhouse is way to small to accommodate even one squash vine. I have sown Burgess buttercup, honeynut, sunshine and bon bon, in cell trays, but I'm doubtful about growing them directly under the Scottish skies. Please advise. Thank you in advance.

[@GrowVeg]

They can be a bit touch and go in Scotland, but then with a warm summer there's no reason they shouldn't produce some squashes. You've made a good, early start, which will buy you a bit of extra time for ripening them. I'd definitely give it a go.

[@cyndiweyler910]

I am working toward a complete winter supply of squashes. We have completed a cold room to support storage through our 6-month resting period. Our planting zone varies between zone 5b to 6b, we can get some really unexpected influxes of cold before our May 24 reprieve. What I have learned is much can be accomplished before May 24 and especially with squashes. My goal is to be able to offer squash in that special time of year..Christmas & Easter.. when the grocery stores are making the most of profit and least of the quality!:) I am doing this with seed starts this year to eventually work toward my own heirloom varieties ( I know for a fact that spaghetti squash loves me) but I would like more available varieties for our area to access over the winter. Can I assume nothing to be gained from starting summer squash inside? Is it best to just save the space for winter squash seed starts? Is there a preferred time in pots for winter squash? I have found that when I get seeds going before nature they just shrivel up and die??

[@GrowVeg]

Hi Cyndi. With both winter and summer squash you can start them off perhaps three weeks before your last frost date, to get a bit of a head start on direct sowing. Summer squash can be sown a bit later - directly where they are to grow once the soil has warmed up a little - as they are quick growers, especially the zucchini. However, winter squash I find does need as long a growing season as you can muster, so an early start indoors to plant out as young plants after frosts is really worth the effort.

[@cyndiweyler910]

@@GrowVeg thanks for your response and confirming the growing window--I always get at it too early--we have a long winter here in Ontario-Canada

[@PENFOLD1962]

I would love to grow the SPAGHETTI SQUASH! But I have no idea what it tastes like! I have searched on line in all of the supermarkets but no one sells the WHOLE SPAGHETTI SQUASH! Just packets of the strands, I wanted the full fruit so I could experiment cooking it in different ways! Another great video as always, your enthusiasm is second to none.... thank you👍😆👍

[@GrowVeg]

It has a fairly neutral taste. It's really cooked up with the intention of smothering in a tasty sauce.

[@tracycrider7778]

Depending on where you live Walmart and Ingles carries it in SE US

[@peterclinch6700]

In Australia I can store them for 13 months. So I grow plenty to last all year.

[@harrrytoool1391]

I like this video but no mention of F1 varieties and if organic fruit bought in shops are F1. Which means the seeds won’t develop. Any advice?

[@GrowVeg]

I wouldn't be confident in saying whether the fruits sold in shops are F1 hybrids or not. Certainly many fruits can be started from seeds saved from store-bought fruits. But whether or not they come out as the originals would be unclear. F1 varieties are certainly worth trying as a gardener. They are generally more reliable and stronger growing, though traditional varieties arguably have the most character and, often, flavour.

[@lexington476]

Any recommendation for fighting bacterial Wilt on winter squash? I lost all of my winter squash to bacterial Wilt last year.

[@brittanyhart5542]

I had this problem two years ago. I'd love an answer as well!

[@clairee3576]

Bacterial wilt is spread by the Cucumber beetle. So prevention is key- crop cover and insecticidal soap are my go-tos. Once the wilt has started in a plant there's nothing you can do so just get rid of the plant. Don't compost the plants because the bacteria will over winter and you'll be spreading it around. Keep weeds to a minimum and avoid planting squash near other favourite plants like the Cucumber family. Good luck!

[@lexington476]

Any recommendation on fighting powdery mildew? I lost a lot of my summer squash last year to powdery mildew.

[@goodwrighter7573]

I garden organically here in SW France near Bordeaux in what is known as the oceanic zone. The heavy Atlantic morning dew combined with the occasional heavy periods of rainfall create conditions favorable for cultivating grapes for wine. However its also perfect for powdery mildew. Thankfully an old farmer gave me an organic, cheap and very effective solution. Mix one half cup of whole milk to one gallon of water and spray the entire plant with the solution twice weekly until you notice the plant is recovering (new leaves, flowers etc). A weekly maintenance application will keep it at bay. Lactobacillus, a harmless bacteria in fermented dairy products kills and prevents the colonization of fungus spores which cause powdery mildew. Voila!

[@goodwrighter7573]

@The World Even better. Thanks 👍

[@brittanyhart5542]

Water first thing in the morning and never get your leaves wet. That was my mistake and was told to not replant any squash in that area for two years. I made a new bed and had much better luck the next year. Hope that helps.

[@brittanyhart5542]

Also I tried the milk method, it didnt work for me. I see there is a comment it may cause bacteria, which I didnt know. Such a wealth of information here. Glad I watched the video.

[@GrowVeg]

Further to the excellent advice already received, I have found that squash plants almost inevitably get powdery mildew towards the end of summer as the plants slow down in growth. For winter squashes at least this never seems to be a problem as the fruits are pretty much set and matured by then.

[@MarckKnitwear]

Found your channel, I am new to growing and just wondered what happens if you sow seeds at wrong time of year ie November. I experimented with some orange squash seeds in a propagator and they seem to be growing pretty well, can they survive if I keep them indoors until next Spring before putting them outside to grow vertically?

[@GrowVeg]

The problem with sowing things too early is that they then have to wait a long time before they can be planted. So, in the case of squash, you may have healthy plants but you will have to give them supplemental lighting to account for the winter months and keep them healthy ready plant out next spring. By this time they may be very big, so you will have used up a lot of resources to keep your plants going up to this point. If you didn't give them extra light and just had the seedlings on a windowsill, for example, you can expect very thin, emaciated and unhealthy plants by spring, which my be likely to be covered in aphids. It's best to start seeds at the correct time, as this more perfectly matches their natural growing cycle.

[@elliep4570]

....a little help? I have tromboncino, patty pan, turk's turban, and atena seedlings....they were all nicely labelled but no more. Disaster. Can you give me any tips on identifying which is which? Looked online, but no clear answers. I suppose I will have to just wait?

[@GrowVeg]

They all look rather similar. You can try Googling the various variety names and 'seedlings' and looking for pictures of them. But you may need to wait till they are a little bigger. That is frustrating - I feel your pain!

[@elliep4570]

@@GrowVeg thanks GrowVeg! Really enjoy your videos, packed with useful info. 👍

[@PeaceRose96]

i've always wanted to grow delicata/winter squashes but i'm too late i guess :( it's already october and it seems like the end of summer was the best time to start planting seeds

[@GrowVeg]

Not sure where you are, but in my climate sowing starts in early spring. I know in hotter regions winter is often the main growing season. I love winter squashes because they are (almost!) a plant-and-forget-till harvest crop. You just need to keep them well watered.

[@PeaceRose96]

@@GrowVeg i’m in NY! right now a cold front is coming in so it’s dropping to atleast 35° overnight for a few days :( but around April it starts warming up to atleast 70s pretty early so I just gotta remember! I always assumed winter squash mean’t actually planting the seeds in the fall but i was very wrong!

[@oootoob]

Good video, but would have been better still if it had covered growing them vertically and what sort of structures are suitable.

[@GrowVeg]

Check out our video on making an arch support for climbing vegetables - perfect for squashes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pp3ZoXewjbCgnqc

[@anniegaddis5240]

QUESTION: What do you do about powdery Mildew? Neem oil? Just remove the leaf?

[@PickledPoacher]

This is a result.of irregular watering and water.on leaves I think. Might help to plant with a way to deliver water at the root zone so you don't get splash back. Also to add some gypsum to.your planting area ahead of time..this to boost calcium levels which are said to help prevent the conditions this pathogen enjoys.

[@anniegaddis5240]

OK, thank you!

[@se7encureton]

Thank you sir subbed

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for the sub!

[@deborahbeattie9103]

When I plant crown prince squash they don't seem to do well, I'm planting them in containers is that why?it's my 2nd year trying they are in similar size container to the ones the courgettes are thriving in.

[@GrowVeg]

Make sure they aren't pot bound. The roots shouldn't be confined. They are hungry plants so generally best grown in the ground if you can.

[@cindychaplin9031]

I want to grow gem squash but am unsure how to prepare the seeds -- do they need to be dried beforehand and if so for how long? I washed off the pulp (as done with tomatoes) and dried them for about 5 days, but they have not germinated yet -- how long can I expect to wait?!

[@GrowVeg]

Squash are best sown in late spring, so I'm assuming you're in the Southern Hemisphere? The seeds can take up to two weeks to appear - they need to have warmth to get underway. It may just be that they aren't quite up yet. The saved seed will have needed to come from physiologically mature fruits - i.e. fully ripened so that the seeds are viable. It sounds like you did the right thing in drying them out properly though. Bear in mind that seed saved from squashes may not come true to type because of the ease with which they cross-pollinate.

[@selenekurland3745]

I have a problem with powdery mildew on my squash plants every year. I change the planting location annually but the mildew shows up regardless of the location. Am I doing something wrong or is this something one should expect with squash (summer) plants.

[@GrowVeg]

No, not at all. Powdery mildew is almost inevitable towards the end of the summer anyhow. Scroll further down the comments for some excellent advice on controlling powdery mildew.

[@lindahaberman5655]

How do you deal with squash bugs? Here in Virginia they can destroy a plant very quickly. I've tried picking them off daily by hand, but can't seem to keep up.

[@spit-n-shoot3511]

CUT TIN FOIL IN 1 IN STRIPS ,WRAP AROUND MAIN STEM ABOUT 2 TIMES SO IT WILL GIVE WITH GROWTH , A INCH ABOVE GROUND .

[@GrowVeg]

There's information on preventing and coping with squash bugs here: bigbughunt.com/bug-guides/us-and-canada/squash-bug/

[@zoeychanin223]

I wish the video had included tips for preventing the squash borer...I haven't yet been able to grow squash where I live because I haven't found a good way to keep that bug from laying eggs in the stem!

[@beckyharris9904]

last year I wrapped foil strips around the bottom of the stems where they came up from the ground - seemed to help a lot

[@rebeccakelleher3169]

I used radishes last year and where I planted the squash borers stayed away. This year I planted some radishes next to every squash I planted. Crossing my fingers!

[@GrowVeg]

There's information on preventing and coping with squash borer here: bigbughunt.com/bug-guides/us-and-canada/squash-vine-borer/

[@alfrednewman292]

One thing that will help is to get sticky yellow pads as the moth is attracted to the yellow flowers. Another is to plant your squash later in the season as the moths are all done. Here in zone 7 that means after mid-July.

[@tracycrider7778]

Get some bt and needles and syringe and nail it with bt as soon as you find them!

[@tisme343]

the wha t' veggies ' lol