Hey fellow gardening enthusiasts!
Did you know that the National Garden Bureau in the U.S. has declared 2024 as the Year of the Squash? It's true! If you're curious about diving into the world of squash this year, you're in for a treat. There's so much to learn and explore, from the rich history of squash to the various squash varieties and gardening tips for growing them.
A Diverse Group of Plants
When you flip through seed catalogs or stroll through garden centers, you'll quickly discover that squash is a fascinating and diverse group of plants. Typically, the kinds of squash we grow in our gardens come from four species of the genus Cucurbita, which include winter squash and summer squash, pumpkins, and gourds.
Growing Conditions for Maximum Harvest
For a bountiful harvest, squash plants need plenty of sun, heat, and water. Summer squash plants grow quickly and often produce big yields throughout the season, allowing for frequent harvests until the first frost. On the other hand, winter squash takes all summer to mature and is harvested late in the season. Thanks to their hard skins, winter squash can be stored for many months, providing food long after the garden is finished for the year.
Space-Saving Options
While many types of squash require a lot of room to grow, some cultivars grow in an upright bush form, and others can be grown in large containers. Alongside the edible types, there are also many shapes, sizes, and colors of squash grown for ornamental purposes.
Expert Advice and Resources
If you're looking for more specific gardening tips and growing details, the University of Saskatchewan's "Gardening at USask" website is a fantastic resource. From the Gardening Advice section, you can select zucchini, pumpkins, and winter squash to find crop-specific growing details about when and where to plant, summer care, harvesting, and troubleshooting.
Upcoming Webinar Alert!
Mark your calendars for May 9, 2024! The National Garden Bureau is hosting a webinar with expert panelists from seed companies discussing all aspects of how to grow squash. It's an event you won't want to miss!
The Beauty of Squash
The folks at West Coast Seeds put it best: "Of all the vegetable varieties, squashes are by far the most diverse in shape, size, and overall appearance. The sheer complexity of this vegetable group invites growers on a lifelong adventure."
