My 5 Secret Tips for a Bigger Better Squash Harvest!

[@rhuffstedtler]

“Sometimes cutting away the bad things can lead to bigger harvests overall” - it’s not just gardening advice, it’s life advice.

[@jussitikkuri6991]

Hey Bob... I think I know what you're saying. I'm a 61 yr old guy. When I was a younger man I was much more of a tougher guy than I am now. For me "Cutting away the bad things " in your life has always been tough for me especially when it comes to those people that were once loved and close , but have turned into a type of malignancy that drags you down. I've given some folks in my past many chances over & over again. They have just chosen to not fit into my life style & choices. It's hard to do , but harder to stop thinking about it even years later. Then I see their names in the obit page. Mixed feelings come flooding in. However I think I made the right choice because it coulda my name or one of my kids name in that obit if I hadn't "swallowed the big ,ugly, jagged pill and did what I had to do way back when. It still saddens me tho. Thanks for picking up on that fact of life and commenting on it. Whether is be a bug infested squash leaf or piss poor friend or acquaintances and everything in between that philosophy is so relevant. I think in the Bible it makes mention to that train of thought. Peace Brother "We I try my best to be just like I am, but everybody wants you to be just like them" ~ Bob Dylan "If only you could be a little less like you and be a lot more like me" ~ Unknown

[@maplenook]

Amen

[@kele1264]

Yes it is!!! 👍

[@AyeshaBortier]

Deep!

[@lizsnipe4406]

Well said and noted

[@Mr.Pennington]

I didnt know you could bury squash stems, i figured they would rot. Thanks for the pro tip

[@maryjanegreen7601]

ditto!

[@klaudiaw6562]

Yeah my squash plant actually done it by itself last year after described by James problem. Plants are so wise and really want to live.

[@lexiatel]

You can do it with tomato plants too! 🥰

[@clintcarter604]

@@maryjanegreen7601Ympp m m m. M m m. m. M m. M

[@classicrocklover5615]

Squash yes. Melons no.

[@swsunsetseeker7285]

Getting the squash to root again farther down the vine is A great idea!

[@lindahonrath310]

I use cut down Dunkin Donut iced coffee plastic cups to make a collar that I put around my plants as I plant them. Never have vine borders even though I live close to you

[@Mrader1983]

Interesting

[@arlenemiller7598]

A friend suggested tin foil around the base

[@Houstonian343]

Clever!!

[@brachashighhopeshomestead226]

Linda you know anyone who saw this will try it for sure, thanks for taking time to share this! notice the spellchecker changed the borers word, but we hear you , girl!

[@ConnieLane-vz7vv]

Awesome tip! Thanks😊

[@mkrobert51]

I live in southeast Louisiana and our soil is sandy loam. Many moons ago Southern Living magazine had an article on frying the squash blossoms. Try it if you haven’t already. Just wash the yellow petals and dredge them in some flour. Heat a little oil and put them in the pan. They cook quickly. Place cooked petals on a paper towel to drain. Salt and pepper to taste.

[@danamama6766]

Plant lots of marigolds, basil, radishes (let some go to seed), nasturtiums and borage all throughout the beds. Best bad bug deterrents and good bug attractors. And all so beautiful too. Love how Tuck loves cucumbers :)

[@highroad3580]

I love those, especially the nasturtiums!

[@chachadodds5860]

Blue Hubbard! Good to know. You always lift my spirit, James. Appreciate you greatly. Blessings.

[@mariamangum976]

I love seeing Tuck in your garden. He is so adventurous, I can tell he grew up out there with you. What a joy!

[@SkyeBleuOfGreenAcre]

Love your puppers chomping at the baby cuke. 💖🐾🐕🐾TY for video.

[@suzannefronzaglio2427]

Saw a video on the problem of squash vine borers, and this guy wraps the stem coming from the base of the plant, with strips of tin foil, wraps it from ground level to about 5+ inches above, making sure that no part of it is exposed, especially where it touches the ground. He said it works very well for him. He lives in Tennessee. Thanks for the great advice in this video. I learned a few new things ("trap plant" blue hubbard squash, and burying the zucchini stem if squash vine borers have invaded!).

[@marybushey3214]

I just love seeing Tuck. And I love how much he means to you. Thanks for the tips.😊

[@kygal2873]

Tuck is so cute eating his veggies ❤

[@kels3972]

🤣🤣🤣 Tuck was supervising your pollinating technique!!! He is too precious!!!

[@jamesprigioni]

Haha, yeah the boss has to ok things before the move along. We like to say it needs to be "Tuck approved"

[@devinhinkson3798]

James, thank you so much for your channel. It is very therapeutic watching you and I have my first productive garden this year, much of that is thanks to you.

[@jamesprigioni]

You're welcome Devin, and thank you for the kind words! ❤️

[@iamthewelcher]

Ditto here

[@gwenhafford4112]

@@jamesprigioni - You mentioned staggering your plantings. How many days apart do you space them? Thanks for another great video.

[@JRoadzReegz]

squash vine borer protip: inject BT with a syringe into the hollow stem near ground or where you see the frass from the larva coming out, kills the vine borer caterpillars just as good as it takes care of white moth caterpillars on brassica

[@BTTransformationTV]

What is BT please.

[@Lynda5876]

@@BTTransformationTV bt is bacillus thuringiensis

[@DukesOfNormandyMusic]

I love when the music plays when you eat your freshly picked food! It relaxes me.

[@angelinvocon]

Wow , a gardener dog nice . I have a secretary filing cat . People who do well with plants and animals are empathic ,so on that note I'd like to say thank you my brostar.

[@smas3256]

My cat thought she was a dog and shredded my mail. lol. Great channel.

[@angelinvocon]

@@smas3256 That would be a part of their secretarial duties .

[@sfcmmacro]

In South Korea old cucumbers fetch a pretty penny at the market. They peel them and then use a peeler that shreds/cuts them into “noodles.” They then salt, refrigerate them,, and rinse them off after. They serve them like noodles with a little soy sauce.

[@jeaniepartridge6701]

I wish I had known about burying the stem in past years I have never seen anyone else do this.

[@soniahofmann4969]

Actually it's a very common technique

[@glintinggold]

I learned this technique while learning about propagation in general but agree with another commenter, would've thought a squash stem would rot!

[@jaredbozich9760]

This is overall a great tip and something I learned last year. I take a razor blade and slit the vine borers and then bury the stalk with nutrient rich soil that holds moisture. Make sure to water heavily until it reroots and should be good!

[@MrLuridan]

Burying the vines is BRILLIANT!!! Many thanks, Mr P!

[@jamesprigioni]

Let's Gooo!

[@kazholloway7420]

I just realized that every time i see James's intro i smile, it is the best intro i have seen from anyone. Thank you for sharing your garden and of course Tuck with us James, many thanks for the awesome info as well.

[@kenbellchambers4577]

I usually have to change my drawers after the intro!

[@kirkmuffie7542]

I love the excitement he puts into gardening! He gets me pumped up like I am playing football again... hahaha

[@kenbellchambers4577]

You are definitely a genius gardener James. What a lot of amazing advice. A few years ago I had a summer where I grew twenty three varieties of zucchini, squash and pumpkins. The Grayziini was spectacular. I grew them all on very nicely mulched compost mounds. We had a lot of squash that year. I didn't know a single one of those secrets, so thanks very much for sharing. Your dog guzzling that young cucumber was unforgettable, and he is astonishingly beautiful. He is radiant!!

[@roleciaburkhead3886]

Hey there James! I love seeing Tuk in the garden with you, and enjoy eating the fruit and veggies right next to the. It reminds me of my miniature schnauzer that I lost two years ago. He loved iceberg lettuce. He knew when I was getting lettuce from the refrigerator. He would run to his spot, just out of the kitchen and wait for me to hand him a cold huge leaf of lettuce. He just loved it. Thank you soo much for the wonderful info on gardening. I've been a gardener most of my life, but in Texas, and now I live in Arizona, the desert 🏜🙃. I've come a long way! Thanks again James. Peace and love.

[@aylaaci]

James, I think you should add something like dealing with vine borers to the headline or maybe make another video on this since the topic may attract more viewers.

[@christines5430]

Great tips as always! Thank you. I love seeing Tuck enjoying the vegetables, especially when he digs them up himself🤣❤

[@nightowl9176]

You always have very interesting episodes about different plants. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@karenschwarze8626]

Great tips on the squash, I have lost so many to the borers! I love seeing Tuck in your videos, he's awesome! My pups are always with me too, their part of the family!

[@path2539]

Great tips. I decided to grow squash again this year and I was concerned about vine borers. Your tips on managing plants with borer issues are quite helpful. I'll sure to try them. Also I never knew why my small zucchini squash would die back. Now I know to hand pollinate. Thanks for your interesting and helpful presentations.

[@maybethshirah3711]

Tuck Tuck Tuck Tuck Tuck--love to Tuck! This was a very helpful video, especially the part about rooting the squash.

[@TryItWithRanch]

4:42 much more graphic than I was expecting

[@alanab08]

I just lost a plant today to the vine borer. Lesson learned! Thank you!!

[@earlinebarrow5672]

James, I just want to be your neighbor! I love to can and could really enjoy some of your extra produce! Love Tuck to pieces! He is so awesome!

[@MartinPerreault]

Let's stop EVERYTHING and have a "Tuck Appreciation Moment"! 😂 Love it! 💕 😁

[@Machella35]

That is the cutest little fur ball..show ur Yorkie more often PLEASE love ur information too BUT that little puppie just adds icing on the cake

[@AnyKeyLady]

"What's going on growers!" Love it! Thanks for the tips James! First time growing courgette this year, so this was very helpful in understanding how it grows and what to look out for. I will be staggering out the planting next year. We are really enjoying our organic baby courgettes, which are normally sold in store at a premium price. The seeds have already paid for themselves, they taste much better and the texture is a lot smoother. We have 6 plants in container pots, using bamboo and string to support them. We planted them out late due to the late frost and honestly didn't think they would grow outdoors after transplanting them but they are thriving! I didn't realise that they would "tire out" or that i could get two harvests in the season so definitely a tip i will use next year. I also didn't realise you could re "root" them. I have seen little green things popping out. Am I guessing these are vines or potential roots? I had to replay tip no. 5 as i got distracted by Tuck eating his cucumber bless him! Out of 9 dogs we have had in the family only 1 ate vegetables. She would love to go out in the garden and eat the runner beans from the vines. That being said, she also managed to steal some steaks from the counter top! Totally a forager dog! lol

[@rafika816]

I absolutely LOVE 💘 your channel! I learned so much that i bought a 🏠 with 3 acres and finally have begun to build my own food forest. Thanks for all you do and hugs to Tuck.

[@tennesseenana4838]

I learned to wrap foil around the base of the Zucchini plant, and I also put tulle fabric around that. It's supposed to keep the borers from laying their eggs. Prevention tactic. Hopefully it works!

[@nickhammersonrocks]

WE DID EVERYTHING JIMMY P SUGGESTED FOR GROWING SQUASH AND NOW WE'VE GOT ZUCCHINI THE SIZE OF POPEYE'S FOREARMS !!!!!!!! THANKS A BILLION JIMMY P!!!!!!!! WE CAN ACTUALLY EAT THIS YEAR!!!!! THANK YOU FOR SAVING US!!!!!!!

[@sandrarichardson2713]

Love that Tuck!! What a little man...he knows how to chow down on the veggies...especially his carrots. He has a good daddy--attentive to his needs. Trap crops...just sort of pulling it together on rotating crops and companion planting. Need to pick up the tips and info on trap crops and start adding that little by little. Thanks James. Jesus bless.

[@sharonm7185]

Thank you so much for your videos! We are in south Jersey and it’s so difficult to grow squash here. The squash vine borer is the bane of my existence! Here they don’t just lay eggs at the base of my plants, they lay them all over, from base to tip. I have to grow them vertically on a trellis due to lack of space. I go out every morning and pick off tons of eggs, shoot bt in the stems, foil around the base, but eventually they get me! I have them into August here. Didn’t grow any squash this year🥲 but I did get a greenhouse. Going to try and grow in there next year and hand pollinate. I will not give up! You inspire me to garden-thank you! And tuck is just precious! ❤️🌻

[@estherkumi6519]

Thank you for explaining the need to prune - the Extra Bonus. I was reluctant to prune my tomatoes, but I see your tomato harvests, so I feel encouraged now. I also didn't know you could bury squash stems. That's a huge tip. Thank you!

[@yvonneshaub6111]

Greetings James..I love seeing Tuck in the garden with his veggies 😀...he's probably one of the healthiest Yorkies I've seen..I give my Luna Bell fresh beets and small bites of zucchini too..thank you for giving so much information..I love love your channel..blessings to you and Tuck😇😇

[@bohemianmermaid]

We are garden newbs, we learn a bit more each year. Your channel is one of our favs, we've learned a lot here! Comin atcha from jersey! No calif 😆 thank you 🙌🏼

[@jamesprigioni]

Glad to hear that, and that's what it's about learning every year so you can grow a bit more. ❤️

[@MA-mv7qz]

This video is THE BEST I have ever seen on squash growing! (And I've seen a lot...) Thanks so much!

[@FloraM44]

Mind blown! Did not know you could bury the stems without them rotting. Thank you! I told my Dad people on KZbin said we can get another crop in if we plant now, and he was getting ready to tear out the infected plants since they all pretty much got vine borers. Normally he puts aluminum foil around the base of the plant and didn't this year - I think he was really surprised they had such a big impact so I'm sure we'll be going back to using that trick next year too! Thanks so much for the recommendation of the trap crop - I had seen it recommended a lot but I couldn't figure out why they would only go to one squash and not the others if they were all the same..... So having a *better* crop as a trap makes a lot more sense haha

[@RandolphTheWhite1]

I'm glad Tuck has decided to keep you around for this long. You have a lot of helpful information

[@sandy-rr1by]

I like the pup eating veg! Always thought I would get a pup when I got old, but now am thinking it would be best to just enjoy watching yours living his best life!!!

[@e-man2081]

Thank you! Finally a practical video on dealing with the real problems of raising squash and zucchini, instead of another "put the plant in the ground and water" video.

[@Childpsy1]

For several years I've been growing winter squash on "skyscraper" towers I've fashioned from 3/4" PVC pipe and fittings. They are 7' tall, 2' on a side, and in four sections that make for easy disassembly and storage. The vines are easily trained onto the towers. They result in better air flow through the plants, raised level of blossoms, less disease, and higher fruit production.

[@classicisland]

You're a BEAST for sharing your tips, knowledge and BONUS features. I've learned so much and it will only help me grow better plants and produce a larger yield of vegetables. Thank you so much James.

[@ashokgondalia9541]

What I like about this video is people keep all their tips secret. So we cannot achieve a common goal. But I love this video because you have shared your secrets I've been gardening for many years but this one is a brainstorm for me. By watching this video I know where I've gone wrong in the past. Let things to you I understand it now.

[@waynemoody2759]

James my wife loves her new Tuck T-shirt. Thank you for all you do. And Tuck too. ❤️🐶

[@trishferrer8209]

Love this!! You & Tuck are such great teachers. I had volunteer squash come up in my spinach bed, dug them out, transplanted to clay pot (without a plan - just wanted to save them). They made buds, and now we have beautiful yellow blooms! Idk what to do next, but definitely plan to up-plant, and baby them. Thank You for this and all your videos! I'm in 7b, W. TN.

[@kensearle4892]

Great Tips! If anyone wants to re-plant a 2nd crop and afraid the season may not be long enough, the zucchini flowers are a delicacy in themseleves. Stuffed with cheese, olives, oil, egg, and breadcrumbs, soooo good!

[@janicewilliams2194]

I LOVE TUCK. He's a keeper. He is a valuable gardener to you and us as well. X♡X♡X ♡ X♡X♡X

[@cyntdb]

Thank you for everything James! First year growing squash and I'll be implementing these!

[@jamesprigioni]

You're welcome Theresa! Glad to hear that, I hope they bring you bigger harvests 😁

[@andielliott6371]

Yes, "theraputic" is the exact word and my gardens have "things" planted everywhere thanks to James' suggestions.

[@1John5-13-Lisa]

I love the yellow flowers to eat, wash good/ gently, dip in flour then dip in beaten egg ( add salt , parmigian cheese and salt then fry!! Yummy

[@sparhawk3473]

What I do is this. I plant my squash hills level with the ground. As the squash grows I cover the stalk. I keep the soil on the stalk. Usually the borer will git to the bottom of the stalk. If you got a lot of soil it stops the borer. As the plant starts making squash. You keep putting soil around the stalk and the vines. Don't break off your leaves borers can get into the plant at that point. Hope this helps...happy gardening....

[@mmegraham]

As soon as I hear your voice, I hit that LIKE button. You're my gardening pal! (And Tuck is the best gardener's sideman ever.)

[@Piamia1010]

3:35 hand pollination!

[@doraw7766]

I have used your suggestions on picking early to avoid the plant from stopping production, I have routinely added soil to main root whether I have vine bore or not and I am ready to plant more squash to keep the harvest coming. Many mice had stalled my tomato and squash harvest so I put netting over them and hope the plants can make a come back. I was getting 2-4 dozen cherry tomatoes each day when the mouse crisis came to a peak but live and learn. Love giving that produce to my friends. Thanks.

[@TearDrop455]

I Love Love Love how the video just takes an escape moment of pure beauty between Tuck and his Dad 🥰

[@Ninabeana1313]

@The Gardening Channel With James Prigioni.... Man I've had a terrible time this year and last year with vine borers. I have done just about everything, I even sprayed and injected them with BT before the borers came, and they still got my plants. I pruned, I used neem oil, BT, buried the healthy parts of stem, did squash surgery, wrapped the vines, used distraction plants, and they still decimated my crops!!! I replanted some seeds I had left over and I'm waiting for those to come up... Ugh I don't want to give up because squash are my favorites, but I'm about to!

[@lindawoody8501]

Thank you for teaching us about the rooting of a shoot away from where the main root and stem filled with larvae is to save a Summer Squash like a Zucchini.

[@1of2shoes]

Perfect timing with this tip. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the world.

[@hnichol2506]

James, your heartfelt, expert advice is so helpful! , and Tuk is the perfect side kick. Thank you for such great content!!

[@swampcabbage3239]

My aunt used to grow micro greens and grew up there too was the best of times , even when it sucked. I know gardening a 189 from everglades farming but if I get a home someday soon in these over priced lands first thing I do is have a garden as plentiful as this. Very awesome sir thank you and tuck , and anyone else in the entourage helping out for being badazzes

[@lgrillo]

The tip about re-rooting the squash plant is gold! All my squash succumbed to the squash vine borer last year. Hopefully, I’ll be able to manage better this year. Thank you!

[@breakingburque2200]

The sacrificial crop is something I do with my flowers I didn’t know there was something for squash bugs thank you. I guess next year I can try it.

[@papadiawilmot353]

Thanks! Your channel is awesome!

[@jamesprigioni]

Let’s Gooo!!! Thank you so much for the generous contribution Papadia Wilmot! It means a lot to me and the little boss 🐕😁❤️

[@tonilovern3932]

Thank you for the information. I used to use a knife and cut up the borers and then cover all of that with dirt. I did not know the other trick with covering it down the line. I never thought of pruning it either.

[@valeriebarris4825]

Hello from Maine, Love seeing Tuck snaking. Good info for hand pollinating.

[@craigmetcalfe1749]

Hey Team Tuck! I have just planted Corn and Squash as the first 2/3 of The Three Sisters. Have you ever tried this companion planting? Would the permies call this a guild? I live in a humid climate and I am worried about Powdery Mildew. I have made sure I have planted the block of corn and squash in the most sunniest and windiest part of my garden. Love the Tuckmeister! He even tells us how to eat healthy. He should go on a national tour with the President. Cheers!

[@yojesse89]

You need to do a video on how you water the food forest!!! I’m in NJ as well. And in the crazy heat of this summer, it’s impossible to have a full time job and keep up with my small garden. I can only imagine the amount of time you must be hand watering! Please do a video on watering and what magic you use please!

[@trenchantsometimes5149]

Tuck is a great part of a great channel. Please keep him in the videos. I love seeing him run around the garden with you and munch on veggies. I had two Yorkies, one has passed and is very missed.

[@ferniek5000]

Staring out the window at a foot of snow. This is saving me. :)

[@marydahliaenoch225]

That squash female flower is my favorite!! We cooked it in countryside remote rural areas sautee or steam it. Or mixed it with soup! You are amazing great informative man.

[@brachashighhopeshomestead226]

James don't know if when KZbin sends us older vlogs whether when we comment you ever see these comments. I had no idea , being a gardening neophyte, what that was on my squash plants, Acorn in this case & zucchini, so without your tutorial how would i have known what to do. can i also make a suggestion when we buy some of you merch, sorry to say but i am assuming most people have already seen this one, so may the receipts that you have with your gorgeous, tasteful icon should thank the person for their purchase bc it supports your project/s. i just think it's a little more personal & we went to the trouble to do it, etc. I'm just saying it like you're my son that I am so proud of because you are one amazing guy, everyone knows this. Forgive me i just think it's a nice touch & it's gracious like a beautiful flower garden! I LOVE you channel & Tuck in it is a very special touch.

[@drbelt87]

I am so glad i saw this. My summer squash i tilted up trying to get it. But getting rid of bad leafs. I will get on that tomorrow morning.

[@centraltexashomestead-mike4956]

Great channel James!!!!!!!! It's so hot hear in central Texas what we do is plant in Succession starting March. Every two weeks we plant 4-6 seeds. We have a 4 acre food forest and have the room to do this. The plants will produce 4-6 squash and then die off. With 24-36 plants in the spring season over 3 months before the 100+ heat in July we do real well. Love the channel and enjoy learning!!!!!!!!!!

[@Jo-xf4nt]

Love you and especially Tuck's videos. He's such a trooper to hang out in the heat!

[@karinchristensen220]

I'm having good luck with trap plants. I found that leaf miners love Morning Glories. They grow fast enough so they still bloom but the leaves are mess. I let them grow all over the place and the leaf miners do not get on anything else. I let a mustard type plant go to flower since they were kind of pretty then discovered it was covered with Harlequin bugs. They weren't on anything else, even the brassicas, which they normally attack, right next to the mustard. It was easy to knock them off into a jar of soapy water. I sometimes get big 4-o'clock plants come up wild which some people consider to be weeds. I find a whole bunch of weird beetles and bugs on them, so I let them stay. I think that is one of the best advantages of just letting things grow and not having a tidy garden.

[@anngables1027]

James, I love your gardening tips and how well you explain them. Who needs google when you can watch the gardening channel! You are the master gardener and Tuck is the master of eating the harvest. 🐶

[@Paola_50]

As a gardener myself I appreciate all the great information and tips you provide! Love, love your channel! Thank you James! Blessings!

[@Reachel1982]

Hi from MI I started raised bed in this year for the first time =) so far I have tomato, strawberry, potato, onion and some marigold =) Love your videos! And your little bud and your humble and great commenting thought out of video !

[@angelasevier6520]

Tuck. The vegetable eating pup. I had a cat Miss Sheena that ate potatoes corn and green beans. Love garden babies

[@AlissaPaige91]

Thank you for this video. I have three stages of my zucchini, cucumbers, and squash growing at the same time. So helpful!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@samuelluke1659]

Good tip on re-routing squash I'm a second-year Gardner and didn't know that was possible,, so thank you

[@shirleytruett7319]

I have never seen a dog that will eat cucumber's. He's such an adorable little dog.

[@beulahbenjamin3598]

We love seeing tuck!! Thanks for such an informative video. Can you do one on companion planting ?

[@citylotgardening6171]

I have wrapped my main stem of squash plants with aluminum foil at that base of my plants worked great I also buried the stem like you just in case . Great video 👍

[@TheCookster64]

Great tips as usual! One more tip on pruning, cut as close to the main stem as possible. That area is solid.

[@StarkdurchGebet]

Was für ein witziger Hund, der Freude an Gurken hat 🤗😍

[@Doodlebug1948]

❤❤Love Tuck. I have two Yorkies - Winston and Tucker!!! They both say “hello” to you and Tuck!!!

[@catiepower3550]

I was super skittish about pruning my pumpkins the first few years. After I got comfortable, it was a serious space saver and I had much more success.

[@OSKG2023]

Love your channel, Tuck rocks. Happy to have ran across this video, planted squash for the first time this year and have 2 little squash babies. So excited.

[@fritzbiederstadt4869]

Very useful post...I've had a real battle with the stink / squash bugs this year. I've noted the vines growing new roots along the vine. This kind of tied it all together.

[@dmu9736]

Love the tips and TUK!!!! Who doesn't love defeating those darn squash bugs and watching a veggie lovin Yorkie enjoy his cucumber?