Squash
Squash, with its sprawling vines and diverse fruits, brings a bountiful and colorful touch to any garden. This versatile plant produces a wide range of squash types, from summer varieties like zucchini and yellow squash to winter varieties like butternut and acorn squash. Their large, lobed leaves and bright, trumpet-shaped flowers make squash plants an attractive addition to garden beds or larger containers.
In Florida planting zone 9, squash thrives during the warmer months, producing an abundance of fruits throughout the growing season. The plants spread out quickly, creating a lush ground cover and yielding a generous harvest. Watching these vigorous plants grow and produce a variety of squash is a delightful experience, showcasing the success of your gardening efforts.
For those new to gardening, squash is an excellent choice. It is relatively easy to grow and offers a plentiful harvest of versatile fruits. Whether you enjoy them grilled, roasted, or in soups and stews, squash brings a delicious and nutritious addition to your meals, making your gardening endeavors both enjoyable and fruitful.
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The vegetables listed on this page are not the only ones that can thrive in this region of Florida, but they represent the top recommended varieties for optimal growth and success in local conditions.
Summer Squash Varieties:
Crookneck Squash (Yellow Summer)
Heirloom
Description: Crookneck squash is a popular summer squash with bright yellow, slightly curved fruits. It has a tender texture and mild flavor.
Growing Season: Spring, Summer, and Fall
USDA Planting Zone: 3–10
Special Notes: Early maturing and highly productive. Ideal for grilling, sautéing, and frying.
Pattypan (Sunburst)
Hybrid
Description: Sunburst is a type of pattypan squash known for its bright yellow, scalloped-shaped fruits. It has a sweet, nutty flavor and tender texture.
Growing Season: Spring, Summer, and Fall
USDA Planting Zone: 3–10
Special Notes: Attractive and versatile. Great for stuffing, grilling, and roasting.
Costata Romanesco
Heirloom
Description: Costata Romanesco is an Italian heirloom zucchini with ribbed, light green fruits and a rich, nutty flavor.
Growing Season: Spring, Summer, and Fall
USDA Planting Zone: 3–10
Special Notes: Known for its exceptional flavor and texture. Ideal for fresh eating, grilling, and baking.
Winter Squash Varieties:
Butternut Squash (Waltham)
Heirloom
Description: Waltham Butternut squash produces tan, bell-shaped fruits with sweet, dense orange flesh. It has excellent storage qualities.
Growing Season: Summer and Fall
USDA Planting Zone: 3–10
Special Notes: High yielding and long-lasting. Perfect for soups, roasting, and baking.
Acorn Squash (Table Queen)
Heirloom
Description: Table Queen acorn squash produces dark green, ribbed fruits with sweet, yellow-orange flesh. It is known for its excellent flavor and texture.
Growing Season: Summer and Fall
USDA Planting Zone: 3–10
Special Notes: Great for baking and stuffing. Stores well for several months.
Spaghetti Squash
Heirloom
Description: Spaghetti squash produces oblong, yellow fruits that, when cooked, have a stringy flesh resembling spaghetti noodles.
Growing Season: Summer and Fall
USDA Planting Zone: 3–10
Special Notes: Popular low-carb pasta alternative. Best baked or microwaved.
Delicata Squash
Heirloom
Description: Delicata squash produces oblong, cream-colored fruits with green stripes and sweet, tender flesh. It has a delicate rind that is edible when cooked.
Growing Season: Summer and Fall
USDA Planting Zone: 3–10
Special Notes: Excellent for roasting and stuffing. Does not store as long as other winter squash varieties.
Florida Vegetable Planting Guide
This guide provides information on when to start seeds inside, direct seed, and transplant starter plants in the different regions of Florida.
North USDA Planting Zones: 8b–9a
Central USDA Planting Zones: 9b & some of 10a
South USDA Planting Zones: 10a–11b
Visit the U.S. National Arboretum for an Exact USDA Planting Zone Map.
| Summer & Winter Squash | North Florida | Central Florida | South Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Seeds Inside | Jan–Mar & Jul–Aug | Dec–Mar & Jul–Aug | Jul–Aug |
| Direct Seed | Feb–Apr & Aug–Sept | Jan–Apr & Aug–Sep | Aug–Sep |
| Transplant Starter Plants | Feb–Apr & Aug–Sept | Jan–Apr & Aug–Sep | Aug–Sep |
Planting Guide – Squash
Getting Started
Start Seeds Inside:
Starting squash seeds indoors allows for controlled conditions, ensuring strong seedlings ready for transplanting outdoors.
Direct Seed:
Direct seeding squash during the warmer months ensures rapid germination and growth.
Transplant Starter Plants:
Transplanting squash starter plants helps them establish quickly in the garden, leading to a productive harvest.
In Florida, both summer and winter squash often share similar planting windows because the growing season is extended. “Summer” vs “winter” refers more to harvest maturity and storage than Florida planting season.
Soil, Sun, Water, and Spacing
Soil:
Squash prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Amend with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and structure.
Sun:
Full sun is essential for optimal growth and fruit production. Provide at least 6–8 hours of sunlight daily.
Watering:
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulch helps retain moisture and regulate temperature.
Spacing:
Summer squash: 12–24 inches apart; rows about 36 inches apart.
Winter squash: 36–60 inches apart; rows about 60 inches apart.
Harvesting and Additional Tips
Harvesting:
Summer squash is typically ready 40–50 days after planting. Pick when fruits are about 6–8 inches long for best texture.
Winter squash is typically ready 85–120 days after planting. Harvest when the rind is hard and can’t be pierced with a fingernail.
Cut from the vine leaving a few inches of stem attached.
Additional Tips:
- Add compost to improve fertility and structure.
- Mulch to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and stabilize soil temperature.
- Maintain consistent moisture during flowering/fruiting to prevent stress.
- Some winter squash varieties benefit from trellising to save space and improve airflow.
Fertilization, Care, and Problems
Fertilization (N–P–K Ratio):
Squash benefits from a balanced fertilizer with slightly higher phosphorus and potassium, such as 5-10-10 or 10-10-20.
When to Add:
Before Planting: Work fertilizer into the soil before sowing or transplanting.
Mid-Growing Season: Reapply when plants begin flowering/fruit set, then every 4–6 weeks during production.
Application Tips:
- Always follow the directions on the fertilizer package.
- Apply evenly around the base and water thoroughly.
Pests and Diseases that Affect Squash in Florida:
- Squash Bugs: Sap-sucking damage causes wilting and decline.
- Cucumber Beetles: Chewing damage; can transmit bacterial wilt.
- Squash Vine Borers: Larvae tunnel stems, causing sudden wilt.
- Aphids: Curling/yellowing; can spread viruses.
- Powdery Mildew: White powdery coating on leaves.
- Downy Mildew: Yellowing leaves with gray fuzzy growth underneath.
Blog post on Natural Fertilizers
Natural Pest Control
Companion Plants and Plants to Avoid
Companion Plants:
| Nasturtium | Nasturtiums act as a trap crop, luring aphids and cucumber beetles away from squash. Their flowers also attract beneficial insects that prey on these pests. |
| Marigold | Marigolds release compounds that help deter soil-borne pests and can reduce nematode pressure. They also help disrupt pest activity around squash plantings. |
| Radish | Radishes can function as a trap crop for certain pests, helping draw pressure away from squash. Their rapid growth also makes them useful as an interplant. |
| Borage | Borage attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, supporting squash pollination and helping reduce pest pressure from aphids and cucumber beetles. |
| Dill | Dill attracts beneficial predatory insects (including ladybugs and parasitoid wasps) that can help manage aphids and beetle pressure on squash. |
Plants to Avoid Nearby:
| Potatoes | Can spread diseases and compete for nutrients with squash, increasing stress and reducing productivity. |
| Melons | Compete for space and nutrients and can attract similar pests, increasing overall pest pressure. |
| Pumpkins | Closely related and often share pests/diseases; also compete heavily for space and airflow. |
| Fennel | Can inhibit the growth of nearby plants and is generally best isolated away from squash beds. |