Summer and Fall Squashes: After Today's Picnic Probably Could Plant Summer Squash

Squashes are native plants of South and Central America and archeologists have found evidence of the plant’s existence as early as 7000 BC.

In culinary terms, both summer and winter squashes are generally considered as vegetables, but like tomatoes are actually classified as a fruit. This fruit classification is because squash develops from the ovary of the female flower and the seeds are surrounded by a fleshy pulp and rind.

Squashes are from the plant genus Cucurbita. There are many species of squashes with Cucurbita maxima (hubbard squash, buttercup squash; large pumpkins); Cucurbita moschata (butternut squash); and Cucurbita pepo (pumpkins, acorn squash, summer squash, zucchini, yellow crookneck) being the species most North American gardeners are familiar with.

North American gardeners group squashes into two additional categories: summer squash and winter squash.

Summer squashes like zucchini are harvested when the fruit is small and tender. Winter squashes as acorn and pumpkins are harvested when the fruits are large, skins are hard, and need to be cooked to be eaten.

Besides the squash fruit, seeds, mature and immature flowers, and the young tendrils of many squashes are used in many recipes.
　
　
The Cultural Requirements for Squashes are:

• Squash require full sun, warm weather, and good air circulation to mature.
• Plant squash in humus-rich, well drained soil; work in organic compost the autumn before planting or spread compost in the growing bed during the growing season.
• Sow squash outdoors or set out seedlings when the soil temperature reaches 70ºF. Sow seed ½ inch–1 inch deep. Thin successful plants to 36 inches apart in all directions.
• Squash is often planted on slight mounds or hills. Sow 4–5 seeds 2–3 inches deep, 3–4 inches apart inhills raised 12 inches spaced 3 or more feet apart. Thin to 2 successful plants per hill.
• Regular and even watering. Keep the soil just moist. Avoid overhead watering so as not to spread fungus-bearing spores, which start infecting the leaves and flowers.
• Squash are heavy feeders; apply lots of compost to the soil or a 5-10-10 fertilizer

If you have not planted any summer squash, you will probably have some success if you do so now after the Fourth of July picnic!