Squash, Zucchini and Cucuzzi are very popular crops grown here by almost everyone who gardens. Squash family vegetable are very easy to grow. In fact we usually grow at least two crop per season. Squash and Zucchini can be grown from seedlings or easily direct seeded into you wide beds. They are very vigorous plants growing to massive size and very colorful. The fruit produced come in a variety of wonderful colors from green, yellow, gold and multi-colors as well. Squash family members are warm season crop producing abundant yields. In fact most gardeners have a hard time giving them all away. Squash like loose, rich well drained soil amended with liberal amounts of compost and well rotted manure. Squash require full sun for best production. 

Planting Suggestions
A Squash crop begins with large vigorous healthy seedlings 4 to 6 weeks old, grown in 4" or larger growing pots. Growing your own seedlings insure quality and varieties not commercially available. Squash seedlings are usually commercially available from gardening retailers if your prefer purchasing seedlings. The seeds should be started about 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date in your zone, or your planned transplant date. 

Make sure the seed starting mix is a light sterile soil mix with a liberal portion of Perlite or Vermiculite to maintain moisture. Sow 1 seeds per 4"pot about ¾" to 1" deep in pre-moistened growing mix. During the day, keep the seedling next to a sunny window after they have germinated. Move to top of the water heater or refrigerator at night if you do not have a greenhouse. A heated greenhouse will produce ideal, controllable growing conditions. I also use supplemental overhead florescent lighting. Here in Southeast Texas our late winter days are too short to produce healthy plants. Never allow your lights to burn more than 16 hours per day. A cheap electrical timer is the key to success here. Seedlings must be allowed to have a period of rest from light to grow properly. Hang your lights 1½ inches above the tops of the seedlings. This will prevent the seedling from becoming leggy. Raise the lights suspended by a chain as the plants grow. Do not allow the soil to dry out. I feed my newly emerged seedling every other watering cycle. Seeds can also be started by directly sowing into your prepared wide row beds. Plant 1 to 2 seeds ¾" to 1" deep and water gently. Two weeks after seedling have emerged thin to a the seedlings to 1 seedling per hill to allow adequate room for growth.

Transplant potted seedlings or direct sow squash seeds after all danger of frost has passed in the previously prepared 48" wide beds 18" to 24" apart. Plants can be set slightly deeper when transplanting. Avoid disturbing the roots as much as possible as they are very fragile. Water the plants well during transplanting using about 1 pint of starter solution on each transplant, or use commercially prepared starter solution according to manufacturer's instructions. This can be a weak solution of 20-20-20 general plant food or commercially available root stimulator. This will encourage rapid root growth & produce fruit of acceptable quality. Squash grow very rapidly and attain large size once set out into the beds. Squash vine on the soil, vining varieties such as Cucuzzi climb up a sturdy trellis or fence. Vining squash produce very heavy fruit and require a sturdy support if trellised. Cover the entire 36" wide bed including the trench between the rows with leaves or straw mulch. The mulch will retain moisture, attract worms, and reduce the growth of weeds in the beds. Any weeds that do germinate are easily removed by hand or light cultivation.

 When it is time to water your plants apply a moderate amount of water into the trench between the row you formed earlier.  The water will slowly soak deeply onto the root zone. Using this method your plants will always have adequate moisture to perform well. It is of great importance that the soil be kept moist and weed free. If you live in the northern states with short growing seasons you can get an early start by buying or constructing a cold frame. Frames can be as crude as bails of hay or straw formed into a shallow box covered with a storm door or plastic. The heat from the earth should keep them from freezing if the box is sealed properly. 

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