Cucurbitaspp . In the diverse household of squash are true nutritional powerhouses , encompassing a wide regalia of forms , flavors , colorations , and culinary applications . Squash are rich in the carotenoids necessary for vitamin A production and brag a wide full complement of amino back breaker . While starchy , most of the carbohydrates in the fruit come from limited polysaccharides , pectin , which have exhibited strong antioxidant , anti - inflammatory , and anti - diabetic , insulin - regulating properties . Days to maturity are from date of direct seeding . Culture• Fertile , well - enfeeble soil gives good results• Squash is a warm season crop , so avoid planting too early on ; upgrade bed and plastic mulch help keep origin warm• Squash are monoicous ( bearing disjoined male and female efflorescence on the same plant ) and require insect pollination• hapless fruit set is often the result of inadequate pollination ; works bee attractant flowersDirect Sowing• Plant after frost risk when soil warm to 65 ° F• piece of work in shovelful of compost and 1/2 loving cup TSC ’s Complete fertiliser into hill• Keep soil evenly moist but not wet as too much wet causes seed to rot• Bush varieties : sow 3 - 4 understructure apart• Vining varieties : sow 4 - 6 foot apartTransplanting• Start indoors 3 - 4 workweek prior to anticipated organ transplant date in 4 inch pots• Work in shovelful of compost and 1/2 cup TSC ’s terminated fertiliser into hill• Transplant cautiously as to not upset rootsInsects & Diseases• Common insects : Spotted and strip cucumber beetles , vine borers and mash bugs• Insect restraint : Row cover and/or apply Pyrethrin• Moschata species are resistant to vine borer• Common disease : See chart below ; diseases vary by region• Disease prevention : 3 - 4 class craw revolution , and fungicide applicationsHarvest & Storage• Summer squash : glean regularly when fruit are immature to keep plants productive• wintertime squash vine : Leave on vine until fully mature , rind should be firm• When winter squelch is matured trimmed theme leave 2 - 4 inches remaining , gently wash in sanitizing solution ; 10 parts piddle to 1 part bleach• For best results move winter squash to a strong dry sphere 80 - 90 ° fluorine to cure ; see each type ( below ) for curing requirements• Store winter squash at 50 - 60 ° degree Fahrenheit with 50 - 75 % comparative humidness and in effect air circulationCuring Requirements• Acorn : Curing not required ; Stores 2 - 3 months• crowfoot : Cure 10 - 14 Day ; Store 1 - 2 months for undecomposed flavor ; Will keep 4 - 6 months• Butternut : Cure 10 - 14 days ; Store 1 - 2 months for best flavor ; Will keep 4 - 6 months• Delicata : Curing not required ; Stores 2 - 3 months• Hubbard : Cure 10 - 14 24-hour interval ; Store 1 - 2 month for best look ; Will keep 4 - 6 months• Kabocha : Cure 10–14 days ; Store 1–2 calendar month for good flavor ; Will keep 4–6 months• Mini - Hubbard : Curing not required ; shop 2 - 3 months• Spaghetti : Curing not required ; Stores 2 - 3 month
Approximate seeds per gram• Acorn , Butternut , & Delicata : 9 - 16• Buttercup & Hubbard : 3 - 7• Green , Gray Summer : 7–9• Kabocha : 5–7• Patty Pan : 7 - 10• Romanesco : 4–5• Spaghetti : 4 - 7• Yellow Summer : 7 - 15• Zucchini : 5 - 8KEY TO SQUASH DISEASE RESISTANCE AND TOLERANCEHR indicates mellow resistance . IR indicates average resistance . CMV | Cucumber Mosaic VirusPM | Powdery MildewPRV | Papaya Ringspot VirusSLCV | Squash Leaf Curl VirusWMV * | Watermelon Mosaic VirusZYMV | Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus * Numbers indicate specific disease backwash .
