What happens to them? Are they cut off at the stem? Do they wilt? Are you planting them in the same spot every year? Are they the same variety of squash?
Could be bugs like cut worms or soil fungus?
cherry

i plant out. then they lay down and die. almost everytime.

I don't plant them in the same spot, the stem is never cut. It happens to both yellow crookneck and golden squash - sometimes zukes.... Its like they go into shock, wilt and never recover. I've tried planting out at just sprouted stage and also after they get a few real leaves, but it seems to make no difference. Oh well... i guess I can't be good at everything! LOL.. ;)

The only thing I can come up with is that my heavy clay soil (even after being ammended) is still too heavy and smothers the roots before they get established. I have 4 more left to plant out and I think I'll dig a hole and fill it up with potting soil and plant there and see if that makes any difference....

I read somewhere that squash doesn't like to be transplanted, it's best to direct sow. I have 4 in styrophone cups that need to get planted out. They're just starting to turn yellow, I think they are too big for their cups now. But I think it's too early for me to plant out. I kept most seeds to try direct sowing.

Let us know how it goes..
Another thought would be to use paper pots that you can place directly into the soil without disturbing the roots.

Cherry

I am not an expert, but some of these might be worth trying if you aren't already doing them...

Mix some compost in your soil before transplanting.

Cover your new transplants with a cloche (any milk jug or soda bottle with the bottom cut out will do) for a few days.

Water the transplant each day for 1 week.

Good Luck!

I have always direct sowed squash with excellent results, thus never considered WSing. They grow so quickly that I didn't think WS was worth the container...

Christy