Holly's Homestead
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Holly's Homestead — Vine & Cucurbit

Squash

Cucurbita spp. · Cucurbit family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Annual, sown or seedling
MATURITY 80–110 days
Sun
Full sun
Water
Deep, regular
Soil pH
6.0–6.8
Spacing
1–1.5m mounds
Depth
2–3cm

01Mound planting

Grown much like pumpkin — sown into a rich mound, sprawling widely unless trellised. Winter squash varieties store far longer than summer squash.

02Planting

Method
Sow 3–4 seeds per mound, thin to the strongest 2.
Soil
Rich, well-drained — dig in aged compost first.
Timing
Sow after frost risk passes and soil has warmed.

03Growing care

  • Water deeply at the base, avoiding wet leaves.
  • Mulch heavily around sprawling vines.
  • Hand-pollinate if bee activity is low.
  • Support fruit on a trellis with a sling if growing vertically.

04Problems

  • Powdery mildew — humid weather; improve airflow.
  • Pumpkin beetle — hand-pick or net young plants.
  • Vine borer — check the stem base for sudden wilt.
  • Blossom end rot — irregular watering.

05Harvest & storage

Signs
Skin hardens and dulls, stem browns (for winter squash); or picked young and tender (for summer squash).
Method
Cut with secateurs, leaving some stem attached.
Curing
Winter squash: cure 1–2 weeks in a warm spot. Summer squash: none needed.
Storage
Winter squash: cool, dry, ventilated, months. Summer squash: fridge, about a week.

06Companions & rotation

Plant nearby
CornBeansMarigold
Avoid nearby
Potato
Rotation note
Rotate cucurbits on a 3-year cycle.