Before Planting: Squash prefers fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6-7.0. Plastic mulch and fabric row covers (AG-19 grade) can aide plant establishment and exclude insect pests during the seedling stage.

Planting: Squash grow well in mounds, so hill up some soil and plant three to five seeds per mound. Plant seeds 1 inch deep in mounds set 4 feet apart.

Watering: Water at least 1 inch a week. Mulching can also help retain moisture.

Fertilizer: To encourage squash growth, it is important to fertilize prior to planting the seeds and during its growing
season as well. Prior to planting seeds, mix up to 3 inches of compost into the soil where you plan to plant the seeds. Instead of composting, you can use a 5-10-10 fertilizer and spread 1 tablespoon per mound prior to planting. Throughout the squash’s growing season, use the 5-10-10 fertilizer monthly.

Tips: Squash blossoms are also edible. Pick the first blooms that appear, as those are the males and if picked, they will not affect plant yields later in the season. Remove the interior of the blossom and add the petals to salads.

AVG. Seeding Rate: 3 seeds/ft., rows 6′ apart, 250 seeds/83′, 500 seeds/166′, 1,000 seeds/333′.