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Summer Squash Growing Guide🥒: Planting and Care for Continuous Harvests

Summer Squash Growing Guide🥒: Planting and Care for Continuous Harvests

Introduction

Summer squash — including yellow squash, pattypan, and crookneck varieties — thrives in warm weather and rewards you with fast, abundant harvests. Whether you’re growing in a LifeSpace Garden or outfitting your raised bed with GardenWells inserts, steady bottom-up watering helps produce healthy plants, reduce stress, and maximize yields.

When to Plant Summer Squash

  • Spring: Direct-seed or transplant seedlings once nights consistently stay above 10°C — typically late May through June. See the May Gardening Guide for planting strategies.

  • Summer: For a continuous crop, succession sow in late June or early July. Visit the June Gardening Guide for summer care tips.

  • Peak Harvest Window: July through September, depending on planting date.

Square Foot Gardening Spacing

  • Spacing: 1 plant per 2 sq ft

  • Depth: Sow seeds 1” deep

  • Companions: Works well alongside nasturtiums, beans, and borage.

How to Plant Summer Squash

Direct Seeding

  • Sow 2 seeds per hole, then thin to the healthiest seedling.

  • Keep the top 1–2 cm of soil evenly moist until seedlings emerge (~5–7 days).

  • Use floating row covers early on to protect against cold snaps and insect pests.

Transplanting

  • Start seeds indoors in early May and transplant when seedlings have 2–3 true leaves.

  • Harden seedlings off for 5–7 days before planting.

  • Top-water gently for the first 7–10 days until roots reach the SIP wicking zone.

Watering Your Summer Squash

Summer squash thrives on consistent, deep hydration:

  • Check your WaterStem: when the Hummingbird rises, your reservoir’s full; when it drops, refill it.

  • Before establishment: Top-water daily until seedlings develop strong roots.

  • After establishment: Refill reservoirs every 1–2 weeks depending on weather and plant size.

  • Mulch around plants to regulate soil temperature and conserve moisture.

  • See the June Gardening Guide for SIP-specific watering strategies.

Harvesting Summer Squash

  • Timing: Harvest when fruits are 6–8” long for best flavor and texture.

  • Frequency: Pick regularly to encourage continued production.

  • Peak Season: July delivers bumper crops — for storage and recipe ideas, check our July Gardening Guide.

  • Bonus: Squash blossoms are edible — harvest early in the morning before blooms open.

Common Issues & Fixes

Issue Likely Cause Solution
Powdery Mildew Humidity & poor airflow Prune lower leaves, improve spacing, and mulch
Blossom End Rot Irregular moisture levels Maintain steady SIP hydration and add compost
Pollination Issues Low pollinator activity Hand-pollinate blossoms using a small brush

Companion Plants for Summer Squash

Best companions (with cross-links):

  • Nasturtiums → Trap aphids, deter pests, and create a pollinator-friendly edge.

  • Marigolds → Naturally repel squash beetles and nematodes; start seeds in April.

  • Borage → Attracts bees, improving fruit set and boosting pollination.

  • Beans → Light nitrogen fixers that help maintain balanced soil health.

  • Corn → Useful for “three sisters” setups in SIP beds with added vertical height.

Avoid planting with:

  • Other cucurbits → Like zucchini, melons, and cucumbers; shared pests/diseases make separation safer.

  • Potatoes → Compete heavily for nutrients and space.

Layout Tip:

  • Summer squash = 1 plant per 2 sq ft in wicking beds.

  • Plant nasturtiums or marigolds along edges for natural pest control.

  • Drop a few borage plants between squash hills for pollinator support.

Product Tips

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