Planting Out Squash Into Its Final Growing Position? Give Yours The Best Possible Start
Elizabeth is a Permaculture Garden Designer, Sustainability Consultant and Professional Writer, working as an advocate for positive change. She graduated from the University of St. Andrews with an MA in English and Philosophy and obtained a Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design from the Permaculture Association.
Reviewed By PETER LICKORISH
Peter is a Horticulture Lecturer and self-employed Horticulturist, with a passion for diverse areas of the industry - from garden design to the science behind plant growth and propagation. He has completed the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture (MHort) Award and lectures on RHS courses at Bedford College.
Contributions From EMILY CUPIT
Emily is a Gardening Writer, Photographer and Videographer from Derbyshire, UK. She is the Founder of Emily's Green Diary - a community of more than 75,000 people who share in her gardening journey.
IN THIS GUIDE
Squash can be a great crop to grow in a sunny and sheltered garden or in an undercover growing area.
There are two main types to consider growing: summer squash, which is harvested in the summer months, and winter squash, which is left to mature on the vine and harvested for winter storage, and is generally thicker-skinned.
“I love most varieties of squash and enjoy trying new ones every year still,” says Gardener Hannah Reid.
“My favourite varieties are Tromboncino, Red Kuri and Honeyboat. They are all great producers, bearing multiple fruits on one plant, which are delicious.”
Squash is pretty easy to grow from seed, but once you’ve done so, you need to make sure that you follow the right process when it comes to planting it out to get it off to the best possible start in its final growing position.
To learn how to plant out squash, I’ve shared all you need to know below.
When To Plant
Squash is a warm-weather crop and should be planted out after the last frost date in your area, ideally once the weather has warned reliably.
Typically, squash will be planted out in May or June, though they may be planted a little earlier if you have a polytunnel or other undercover growing area.
Where To Plant
Squash needs as sunny and warm a spot as you can give it.
Remember, some will require some support whilst they grow, so bear this in mind when choosing a variety.
The soil should be moist yet free-draining and as fertile as possible.
“When large squashes are developing, some squares of old groundcover membrane, as long as it is porous, or old compost sacks with holes pushed in them are handy,” shares Master Horticulturist Peter Lickorish.
“Slide them under the fruits to prevent them from rotting from soil contact.”
Squash is often planted alongside sweetcorn and climbing beans in a planting scheme called the three sisters, which benefits all three of these plants.1Kruse-Peeples, M. (2016b, May 27). How to Grow a Three Sisters Garden. Native-Seeds-Search. Retrieved March 24, 2023, from https://www.nativeseeds.org/blogs/blog-news/how-to-grow-a-three-sisters-garden
Other beneficial companion plants include nasturtiums and radishes.
How To Plant Out
Harden off squash sown indoors by gradually moving the plants outdoors or using a cold frame to acclimatise the plants to outdoor conditions.
Select a suitable growing location and prepare this area.
If growing in a container, choose a suitably large pot and fill it with a fertile, peat-free compost mix.
A large container such as a half barrel is ideal for the job, and choose a variety marketed as compact.
If growing in the ground, make sure you have a fertile spot by adding plenty of organic matter such as homemade compost or well-rotted manure as a top dressing.
Think about support for your crops if you are growing a type of squash that requires it.
Place plants into the holes or the containers you have prepared, giving them around a metre square of space for most plants.
Then, firm back the soil gently around the plants.
Make sure that you give your squash a good drink upon planting, and add an organic mulch around your plants to meet their fertility needs, conserve water and minimise weeds.
“Squashes are big drinkers and in the height of summer I water my squash daily,” shares Gardener Hannah Reid.
“They’re also big eaters, so I feed them on a weekly basis using homemade fertilisers made from plants like nettle and comfrey.
“I also like to make manure tea for my squash plants, by adding well-rotted manure to a watering can and letting it sit for a few days.”
