Squashes and pumpkins – what they are and what can go wrong
Despite the fact that their taste and appearance are very different, Squash, which is divided into two main types, winter and summer, are very closely related, cultivated and grown in much the same way. Squashes and pumpkins belong to the Cucurbitaceae family, as well as cucumbers and melons, which all family members need lots of room to grow.
Summer squash are usually grown as sprawling bush and they are harvested well before their maturity, while their skins are always very tender and can be eaten. For most winter squash grow as part of the vines, which require more space than squash summer. We leave these pumpkins on the vine until they are mature, by which time their skins are tough and generally inedible. If winter squash are stored properly, they can be kept through the winter.
Pumpkins are just another kind of squash, some of them grow as shrubs, and others on the vines. They are allowed to mature before harvest the same as winter squash.
The seemingly endless varieties of squash. Some summer squash are yellow squash, it can be or “chopped” or “straightneck” zucchini, squash is a green and white or pale green squash scallops. Most varieties of summer squash can be harvested in 50-60 days after planting.
The acorn and butternut squash, winter squash earlier in maturity are usually ready to be harvested in 75-85 days. Squash buttercub, which is shaped turban, will mature in about 100 days. Green or slate gray Hubbard squash, which can reach a gigantic size, will be ready for harvest in about 110 days. Pumpkins, on the other hand, matures in 100-120 days. All pumpkins need a loamy, rich soil that retain moisture and grow best when the nutrients are added to the soil as humus or fertilizer.
Things that can go wrong
Squashes and pumpkins, as well as cucumbers and melons, are subject to the same diseases. Rootworm striped cucumber can spread a bacterial disease that causes plants to wilt and then die. You can destroy the insects by spraying plants with methoxychlor. squash borers hatch eggs that are laid at the base of the plant and burrow into the stems. The most effective treatment is spray around the base of the plant with methoxychlor, but if the drillers are starting to hatch and tunnel into the plants, you need to cut with a knife.
There is no treatment for Fusarium wilt, a fungal disease, but prevention is the best crop rotation or sterilizing metamsodium the ground. If a white should appear on the leaves, stems cut affected only, and spray plants regularly with benomyl.
About the Author
Barbara E. Volkov and her husband Gene are a retired couple who enjoys the at home time and also tinkering around in the garden. We are always learning new things to do for our garden and enjoy sharing the information with others. Come visit our website http://www.gardenersgardensupplies.com for more interesting tidbits on gardening.
Zucchini and Squash Recipes from The Produce Lady
|
|
Benriner Cook Helper Slicer $38.90 Create never-ending curly slices of your favorite vegetables with this easy-to-use Vertical Turning Benriner Slicer. Just select from the 3 strand-thickness blades provided and start turning. Or leave the strand blade off for a never-ending strand of cucumber. Made in Japan…. |
|
|
Better Houseware Zucchini Corer $6.49 This handy zucchini corer will be very helpful for coring your vegetables and fruits. You can easily core zucchinis, eggplants, apples and more with this surraded bladed corer. It is easy to clean and dishwasher safe. Prepare stuffed vegetables, Turkish dolmas and core your fruits with less effort… |
|
|
Benriner Cook Help Spiral Vegatable Slicer $41.45 Benriner Cook Help Turning Slicer The Benriner “Cook Help” serves as an amazing kitchen tool for both the professional and the household cook. The tool only requires a simple cranking motion and it churns out vegetables in a very fine, continuous, and string-like form with very little waste. Ideal for creating elegant garnishes. Safe and easy to clean. Includes three Stainless Steel blades- a … |
|
|
From Aardvark to Zucchini: My First Alphabet of Prayers … |
|
|
From Aardvark to Zucchini: My First Alphabet of Prayers … |
|
|
Beech-Nut Stage 3 Homestyle Squash & Zucchini – 12 pack $12.19 From about months, Beech-Nut Stage 3 Homestyle Squash & Zucchini – 12 packare a delicious and nutritous way to introduce added taste and texture to your baby’s diet. These special Homestyle recipes are specially prepared from high quality natural ingredients…. |
|
|
Greeting Card Garden Zucchini Relish $3.00 5×7″ card and envelope. Recipe is included on the back of each card. Made with heavy, high grade card paper…. |
|
|
Zucchini Italian Striped Summer Squash Seeds – Cucurbita Pepo – 4 Grams – Approx 30 Gardening Seeds – Vegetable Garden Seed $2.69 The Italian Striped zucchini is an excellent tasting zucchini that has a dark green skin with lighter stripes. It can be harvested early or left until it grows to a larger size…. |
|
|
12 oz. Zucchini Linguini Pasta $5.25 Rossi Pasta Zucchini Linguini. 4.00mm wide. Cooks quickly, in about 2 1/2 to 4 minutes. A frequently used seasonal vegetable in Rossi simple gourmet meals, we can’t remember why we never incorporated it into a pasta. We have now, and it’s a crisp, fresh, green, and very Italian experience. An amazing side dish with just olive oil, sliced shallots, garlic, and basil. One 12oz package…. |
|
|
Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Wall Decals – Marrow Squash – Removable Graphic WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
|
|
Squash and Zucchini (Hardcover) $19.79 Description not available. |
|
|
The Classic Zucchini Cookbook (Paperback) $13.38 This eminently useful cookbook–which deals with many other squashes besides the venerable zucchini–includes recipes for appetizers, vegetarian dishes, chicken and meat dishes, breads, desserts, and much more. Recipes include Tomato-Zucchini Soup, Che… |
|
|
TASTE Specialty Foods 24-oz Granulated Garlic (Pack of 4) $30.99 Add that extra touch to a variety of dishes with this granulated garlic from TASTE Specialty Foods. This granulated garlic can be used in various recipes and dishes, simply add to green beans, zucchini, eggplant, yellow squash, carrots and tomatoes. |