Squash makes a wonderful addition to any garden. These warm season crops are easy to establish and offer both edible fruits and attractive foliage. In our guides down below, we cover growing conditions, varieties, planting tips, pest control and more!
Are you struggling to combat a squash bug infestation in the garden? Anasa tristis is a pesky insect that resembles a stink bug in its adult stage, and these pests can cause damage and wilting in your squash plants and other edibles. In this guide we offer tips that can help to save your cucurbit harvest. Read more now.
Zucchini plants may need pruning to get rid of damaged or diseased leaves, or to discourage crowding and shading. Our guide tells how and when to prune zucchini without harming the vines or bush plants. It also shares ways to avoid this garden chore with ample spacing and by choosing compact varieties to grow. Read more.
You’ve sown and nourished pumpkins, and they’ve grown vines, leaves, and flowers. But you’re not seeing any fruit at all. Or maybe you see some fruit, but far less than you expected. What went wrong? In this article, you’ll learn the top 5 reasons why your pumpkin isn’t fruiting, plus what to do next. Read more now.
If you’re wondering how and when to prune your pumpkin vines to keep them healthy and productive, you might feel confused. By trimming your pumpkin plants, you’ll grow an abundant harvest of gourds, and minimize pest and disease issues. In this guide, you’ll discover which vines to trim, and how and when to do it.
Pumpkins are an excellent crop to grow for a bounty of gourds for fall decorations and, of course, pie. But what should you grow alongside your pumpkins? Learn about the best companion plants to grow in your pumpkin patch for pest control, soil improvement, and to maintain diversity in your garden. Read more now.
Banana squash are wonders of the garden. These large winter squash look like oversized pink or blue bananas, weigh over 60 pounds, and have sweet flesh that is perfect for roasting, baking, or turning into warming autumn or winter soups. Learn how to plant and grow banana squash in this guide. Read more now.
Thinking of growing winter squash? Make sure to choose the best variety to match the length of your growing season and the size of your garden. And of course, you’ll want to pick a cultivar that will please your palate too! Keep reading to discover 11 of the best winter squash cultivars and find your new favorite.
Want to grow your own summer squash? These veggies are available in a delicious assortment of colors, shapes, patterns, and sizes. Whether you prefer your squash grilled, stuffed, spiralized, or sauteed, you have your pick for the garden. Discover 21 of the best summer squash varieties and choose your favorite now.
Cushaw squash is a large winter variety, with delicious, meaty, moist flesh. The fruits are shaped like crooknecks and can weigh up to 20 pounds. Since you’re unlikely to find them at the grocery store or farmer’s market, you’ll need to grow your own. Learn how to plant and grow cushaw squash in this guide. Read more now.
Scallop squash are tender, tasty, and beautifully shaped, resembling pies or flying saucers. And with a wide selection of different types to choose from, even the pickiest gardener is bound to find a patty pan that will become a new favorite. Discover 13 of the best types of patty pan squash in this guide. Read more now.
If you love summer squash why not add some interest to your patch (and plate) with delightful looking and delicious patty pan? These scallop-shaped squash grow on compact bush plants rather than vines, taking up little room in the garden. Learn how to plant and grow patty pan squash in this guide. Read more now.
Turban, aka Turk’s turban squash is a winter variety instantly recognizable with its colorful, funky-shaped fruits that can weigh over five pounds. While not the most flavorful, the gourds can be used for stuffing and they make wonderful additions to autumn displays. Learn how to plant and grow Turk’s turban in this guide.
Easy to grow, everyone’s favorite green summer squash is also a breeze to pick with the right technique. You can’t just tear these vegetables off the vine, a more refined approach is required. You’ll also want to make sure you get your timing right. Learn more about how to harvest zucchini in this guide. Read more now.
‘Butterkin’ is a hybrid cross between a pumpkin and a butternut squash, giving you the rounded shape of a pumpkin with the sweet nutty flavor of a butternut. This winter squash variety is relatively low-maintenance and can be stored up to six months after curing. Learn how to plant and grow ‘Butterkin’ in this guide.
Discover the rich history of the three sisters garden, a sustainable planting method rooted in Native American traditions. Learn how to cultivate corn, beans, and squash together to harness their companion planting benefits for a bountiful harvest. Explore the synergy of this agricultural technique.
If you’re growing your pumpkins indoors or in a greenhouse, or simply don’t have many bees around, you might be wondering how you’ll get any fruit. Pumpkin pollination requires bees, after all. But here’s a secret: you can hand pollinate your own gourds. Learn everything you need to know in our guide. Read more now.
A traditional home garden favorite, zucchini is popular as a zero-carb spiral noodle standout. A few plants can supply the whole family! But with so many wonderful cultivars for edible blossoms, stuffing or pickles, why not plant a bunch and harvest all summer long? Follow these tips for zucchini bliss.
Are your zucchini plants flopping over instead of producing the bumper crop these summer squash are famed for? The cause could be squash vine borers, too much moisture, or bacterial wilt via cucumber beetles. Here’s how to identify the issue, treat it if possible, and prevent garden-grown zucchini from falling over.
Zucchini is a must-have in any veggie garden because it’s tasty, prolific, and easy to grow. But zucchini can be plagued by some nasty diseases that can reduce your harvest, or even kill your plants entirely. We’ll show you how to deal with diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses – and how to prevent them in the future.
Have you spotted an insect on your zucchini in the vegetable patch and don’t know what to do about it? Or maybe your plants are failing to thrive and you’re wondering what might be the problem. Learn how to identify and control 9 common zucchini pests. Read more now.
If you love homegrown zucchini but have no room in your garden, did you know you can grow it in containers instead? This summer squash is easy to grow and provides you with an abundant harvest. Learn how to plant and grow zucchini in pots and containers for the fresh, homegrown taste of summer. Read more now.
Zucchini are famously prolific, but that doesn’t mean they’re without their share of potential issues. You might be facing yellowing leaves, falling flowers, or pest problems. If you’re having trouble with your zucchini, learn about 11 common problems, how to identify what’s going wrong, and what to do to fix it.
Grow a super food summer squash in a fresh yellow color! Golden zucchini are a bit sweeter than green varieties and nearly as productive. The shape makes them superior for zoodles, and their color’s a benefit in the kitchen and garden alike. Have some fun, follow these tips, and you’ll soon be harvesting summer gold.
Zucchini blossom-end rot is a common problem that can ruin ripening fruits and drastically reduce your harvest. The disorder is caused by a calcium deficiency, and adding more calcium to the soil doesn’t really help – but proper watering does. Learn all about zucchini blossom-end rot causes and treatment. Read more now.
Did you know there’s a solid plan you can follow to ensure that your winter squash produce maximum harvests? Get expert tips for planting, tending, and picking all of your favorite varieties – including butternut, acorn, pumpkin, and spaghetti. Read more now on Gardener’s Path to learn how to grow your own at home.
Summer squash is a delectable addition to most any recipe. But do you know how to provide the best growing conditions for your crop? Whether you choose zucchini, yellow crookneck, or another variety, our growing guide will teach you how to achieve a bigger and better harvest this year. Read more now on Gardener’s Path.
‘Delicata’ squash is delicate and delicious when it comes to the texture and flavor, but there’s nothing delicate about it in the garden. It’s disease-resistant and resilient, and one plant will give you a massive harvest. Learn about planting, caring for, and using up all your glorious ‘Delicata’ squash in this guide.
Companion planting can reduce the need for chemicals to keep your garden happy. They can repel pests, add nutrients to the soil, and provide other benefits. The wrong plants can do the opposite, attracting bad bugs, depleting the soil, and wreaking havoc. Here are the best and worst companion plants for zucchini.
Looking for a squash that produces massive fruits that are full of dense, sweet flesh? How about one that is resistant to disease and thrives in hot temperatures? It’s time to learn more about delicious calabaza squash, an heirloom type that originated in South America and is gaining in popularity. Read more now.
An ideal crop for beginners or gardeners who want to grow more of their own food, bush-type yellow crookneck squash grows fast in the summer heat. The plants yield bushels of tender fruits with curved necks. Harvest a bumper crop in your first season with our best tips for sowing and harvesting this heirloom vegetable.
When frost or freezing weather threatens zucchini plants in your garden, there are steps you can take to protect them. From row covers and other protective strategies to planning your plantings ahead of time, growing suitable varieties for your area, and starting seeds indoors. Learn frost protection tips in this guide.
Delicious and nutrient-rich, butternut squash are pretty, tan-colored gourds with dense flesh that are grown as warm-season annuals. The trailing vines are cultivated in mounds or hills, but compact varieties are also suited for containers and small gardens. Learn how to plant and grow for butternut squash in this guide.
Zucchini is an integral part of a summer vegetable garden, but if the plants aren’t protected, pests like aphids and squash bugs can cause serious damage. While they are easy to grow, knowing how to protect your plants can improve your harvest. Discover the best options for protecting your plants in this guide.
When zucchini drop their flowers without producing squash, don’t panic. It could be the male flowers dropping after they release pollen, which is harmless. Or the zucchini could be suffering from poor pollination or cutworm damage. Address the root causes and learn to prevent them in the first place with our guide.
Spaghetti squash is a type of winter squash that has spaghetti-like strands commonly used as an alternative to starchy noodles. The plants are heat tolerant and easy to cultivate, and can even grow in small space gardens with trellising. Learn how to plant and grow your own in this guide. Read more now.
Pumpkin plants are highly susceptible to powdery mildew, a fungal infection can affect the quality of the fruit. In severe cases, it can destroy your whole crop. However, there are treatments available and preventative measures you can take. Learn how to prevent and treat powdery mildew on your pumpkins in this guide.
Is your pumpkin vine taking over the garden, growing faster than you can contain it? Don’t lose hope. Growing your gourds vertically can tame those unruly vines, and training pumpkins on a trellis also helps to keep them free of pests and disease. To learn everything you need to know, read more now.
The culinary value of pumpkins goes beyond enjoying the tasty flesh in soups and pies – the seeds can be just as useful as a healthy snack that’s packed with essential nutrients. Making your own roasted pumpkin seeds from homegrown squash is a simple way to help utilize all parts of the pumpkin. Read on to learn more.
Carving is cool, but it’s also fun to grow pumpkins that are great for cooking. From heirloom giants to hybrid minis, these 11 pumpkin picks are a home chef’s dream. Try them in your favorite fall soups, breads, pancakes, and even pumpkin lasagna, and freeze the excess from your bumper crop to enjoy all year long.
If you’re growing pumpkins, you might be wondering how and when to fertilize your plants for an abundant harvest of gorgeous gourds. Pumpkins are heavy feeders, and the plants need different nutrients in different growth stages. Discover how to fertilize your plants with the right nutrients at the right times. Read more.
Have you always wanted your own pumpkin patch, filled with winter squash that are perfect for cooking and decorating throughout the fall? It’s not as hard as you might think. From small cultivars to large homegrown varieties that are ready to be carved into jack-o’-lanterns, we’ve got you covered. Read more now.
If you’re getting ready to plant your Halloween pumpkins, you might need help choosing the perfect varieties for that spooky night. In this guide, you’ll learn the best varieties to grow whether you’re carving, painting, eating, or just setting out the bright veggies for decoration. Read on to discover your favorites.
Nothing says Halloween like jack-o’-lanterns, but what good are they if they rot before you can say trick-or-treat? Before you go to the farmers market, read 9 quick tips to make carved pumpkins last longer. From selecting the best to inhibiting moisture, we’ve got ideas you can use, right here on Gardener’s Path.