Surefire Summer Squash

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Planting Seeds from a Squash's Perspective

The next decision is whether to start the seeds in pots or directly in the garden. If your squash seeds could talk, they’d say, “Oh no, not in the garden! As soon as we sprout those nasty squash bugs will find us. Besides, we’ll show you a special, magic secret if you plant us in roomy pots and give us plenty of compost.” The compost is important here, because it’s likely to host remnant populations of fungi and bacteria that form beneficial partnerships with summer squash roots. Once this spontaneous root myco-magic starts happening (myco means fungal), the squash root/fungi teams become geniuses at extracting moisture, phosphorus and other nutrients from the soil. (For more on myco-magic, search for Building Fertile Soil.)

For seedlings started in 3- to 4-inch pots, this process will continue without missing a beat if you set out the plants, without disturbing the roots, when they are about three weeks old (squash grows up very quickly), in warm soil that was amended with plenty of compost and a few handfuls of an organic fertilizer. Always choose a sunny spot and the squash seedlings will promptly begin unfurling their extensive array of solar collectors, which we call leaves.

Organic Controls for Squash Bugs

This is probably an anxious time for summer squashlets, because they’ve suddenly become sitting ducks to four formidable insect pests. “Please protect us from pests that want to destroy us,” the squash would plead if they could speak. When spotted or striped cucumber beetles fly in and get a taste of them, for example, they’ll call their comrades to come join the party. On the ground, squash bugs patrol for the host plants they crave. And on warm evenings, the squash plants will likely be discovered by fast-flying moths, whose larvae are dreaded squash vine borers — inch-long supermaggots that devour the spongy material on the inside of squash stems, ravaging them from the inside out.

None of these insects will damage your plants if they can’t reach them, so it’s time to cover them up with a floating fabric row cover, weighted down at the edges. Attach the row cover to a wire mesh tunnel to make it easier to secure, install and remove for weeding. You can buy row covers at garden centers, or make your own by stitching together two lengths of tulle or nylon net, sold at fabric stores. (See “Extend Your Growing Season,” February/March 2007, for more on making tunnels.) Give the plants a good drenching, and mulch between them to deter weeds before you install the bug cover. Then, you’re pretty much home free for the early growing stage.

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