A question on planting Summer Squash?

17 years ago

I will be planting crookneck summer squash for the first time using our newly built raised beds. Here are my questions: Do I want to hill the soil in the bed or leave it flat? Mel's first book said plant only 1 seed, is that right? Or, should I plant a few and thin it down to one or two? Also, so as not to consume too much space, would a galvanized wash tub measuring 22" in diameter, 12" deep work for one plant? Of course we have drilled drain holes in the tub and I have it filled with Mel's mix. I plan to use netting on both the tub and the 4x8 bed in which I will have a second planting after reading prior posts about all the insect problems. Any other hints would be gladly accepted. Our weather here in Central FL is 80 degrees, we are having a warm winter, but I will wait until we pass our last freeze date in Feb. Thanks, Mary

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Comments (3)

dutchess_9
17 years ago
Is the crookneck a vine or bush plant?

I planted yellow squash and zucchini(spelling?) which were both bush plants. They actually took up more than one square. Some squash borers got to them though, I had to pull them up.

The tub should work nicely. You do not need to hill them...the mix will drain nicely. It wouldn't hurt to put more than one seed in. I personally don't like to waste seeds, so I just put in one and if nothing comes up in a week, I just put another one in.

What are you going to use for netting?

Katrina
www.howmygardengrows.wordpress.com
marymilkweed
Original Author
17 years ago
Katrina, I am planting bush type squash. As for the netting, I haven't purchased any yet, but I am lucky enough to live near a nursery supply company that should carry what I need. For the tub, I was thinking of criss-crossing some flexible pvc over rebar stakes above the tub and covering with the floating row cover. Summer crookneck sells for $1.69 a lb. in this area and that price just cooks my grits! I will post some pictures once I get everything going.
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dutchess_9
17 years ago
Sounds good...I like to look at other people's pictures!

Here is a link that might be useful: How my garden grows!