Summary
Squashis a highlyversatile and nutritious vegetablethat come in variousshapes , size of it , and sapidity . you may grow two clear-cut type of squash in your garden : winter mash and summer squash . Learning about these two types of squash can help you create a bountiful harvest in your backyard .
Learn thefundamental differences between winter squash vs summertime squash rackets , including thegrowing requirement , harvest times , and storage .
Plant Type and Texture
The visual differences in types of squash
broadly , summer squash grow as a bush or weak vine , whilewinter squashes raise as vining plants .
Zucchini , chickenhearted squash vine , and pattypan are common summertime squash varieties , whilebutternut , delicata , and honeynut are uncouth wintertime squash varieties .
Summer squash racquets broadly speaking have slender , eatable skin , and their flesh is quitesoft and delicate , with a soft , sweet flavour . wintertime squash , on the other hand , generally have fatheaded skin , with exceptions like delicata , which has thin hide . Their flesh isdenser and often sweeterthan summer squashes , with larger seeds . Summer squash typically have smaller semen than winter squashes .
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Summer squashes usually have acylindrical or bulbous shapeand can be square or slightly curved . On the other hired hand , wintertime squash generally has a moreround or oblong shape . However , there are some exceptions . For illustration , some summer squash varieties , like crookneck squash , can have a curved shape , while some winter squash variety , like delicata squash , have a more elongated form .
Planting Times and Soil Conditions
When should you start growing these gourds?
The ideal temperature to institute both summertime and wintertime squash rackets is when thesoil temperature is at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit , with nodanger of frost . However , wintertime crush germinates best in warmer soils ( around 70 degrees Fahrenheit or more ) . So , in worldwide , you shouldplant summer squash a few week before sowing wintertime squash .
you could rise summertime and wintertime mash in the ground ( row and hill ) or containers . space between the plants depends on whether you are originate abushy or vining variety .
Growing Method
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Winter Squash vs Summer Squash
mature Tips
In the solid ground
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When mature bushy mixed bag in the ground , sow seeds15 to 18 in aside in rows 4 to 6 groundwork apart .
In the case of vining plants , plant the ejaculate 12 to 18 inches apart at a length of 6 to 12 feet between rows to allow the vine to open .
You may also provideadditional supportfor get vines vertically , such as with a trellis .
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Hills
you may also grow squash vine in Hill , little cumulus of soilbuilt to create a elicit planting arena to give the roots more space to grow . For grow summer squash , plant four to six semen per hill and blank space the Hill 3 to 4 feet asunder .
For wintertime squash racquets , plant two to three seeds per mound and space the hills 4 to 6 feet apart . Once the plants grow about 2 inches tall , keep the strongest seedling per hill .
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Once the plant grow about 2 inches marvellous , remove two to three weak seedlings to permit the persist stronger works more space and resource to grow and mature ( this is a common garden practice have it off asthinning ) .
In container
If you are growingsummer squash in dope , you will need container of 4 to 6 - gallon capacity with a depth of 8 to 12 inches .
For winter squash , bigger container of 8 to 10 gallons with a deepness of at least 12 to 16 inches are suitable . develop one plant per container .
Container - grown squashcan be placed indoors or outdoors as long as canonical precaution requirements for the flora are met !
Fertilizing Squash Plants
Keeping garden veggies healthy
Squash plants thrive infertile , well - draining soil rich in constituent matterwith a pH of 6.0 to 6.8 .
Winter Squash vs Summer Squash Harvest
Learn how to harvest squash the right way
Generally , summersquashes are harvestedwhen vernal and sensitive , at about60 days after planting , when they are4 to 7 inches long . However , this calculate on the miscellanea .
Winter squash racquets is harvest in around80 to 120 24-hour interval when the fruit is entirely matureand has developed ahard skinthat can resist fingernail scratches .
Harvest summer squash every other day to boost new growth .
Storing Winter Squash
After you harvest the winter squash , leave it for about10 to 14 days in a tender , ironic placewith a temperature between 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit . you could utilise a heated cabinet or garage for this .
expend a small fan to maintain proper ventilation in the storage expanse .
Once cured , store the wintertime crush at a coolheaded temperature .
store Summer Squash
You canstore summertime squeeze for up to a calendar week at 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit .
Wash the fresh summertime squash in cold piddle to murder soil corpuscle .
Then , dry the squash vine and store in the refrigerator inside a seal plastic store old bag or an airtight container to lock in the moisture . If you want to keep summertime squash longer , put in them in ironic , rooted , orpickleform .
you could store buddy-buddy - skinned winter squashesfor several monthsat 50 to 55 degree Fahrenheit and a comparative humidness of 75 percent . However , the shelf - aliveness of winter squashes differs concord to their change . For representative , butternut squash can be stack away for two to three months , while sweet meat squash can be stored for up to four to six months .
According to theOregon State University , before store the wintertime squash , dip them in 135 to 140 degree Fahrenheit water for about three minutes to sterilize the fruit and keep them in a cool environment immediately .
The squash storehouse area should bewell - vent , so the moisture does not establish up on the yield and drop it . Store winter squashon shelvesrather than cold base , or it will deteriorate rapidly . Do not put in winter squash nearripening fruitsas they free ethylene gas , making the squash sprain yellow and minify its shelf - spirit . Also , keep checking the winter squash periodically for any signs of decay anddiscard immediatelyif you find this present .
Winter Squash vs Summer Squash: Squashing the Confusion
While winter and summertime squash are delicious andnutritious veggie , they have some fundamental difference . Summer squash vine has raw , sarcoid skin , while wintertime squash has a thicker covering . They have differentplanting time , space requirements , and store need .
By empathize these differences , you’re able to make informed decisions ongrowing and caring for your squash vine plants at home !
