Q&A for How to Grow Yellow Squash

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Why do my plants bloom but do not put on squash?

Andrew Carberry, MPH
Food Systems Expert
Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.

Andrew Carberry, MPH

Food Systems Expert

Expert Answer

If the blossoms aren't pollinated, they won't form fruit. Try hand pollinating by removing a male flower and brushing the pollen on the female flowers.

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Question

Can they be grown on a trellis?

Andrew Carberry, MPH
Food Systems Expert
Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.

Andrew Carberry, MPH

Food Systems Expert

Expert Answer

Yes, the vining varieties of yellow squash can be grown on a sturdy trellis. Have the trellis in place when you start the plants, and direct them up the trellis as they grow.

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Question

How do I kill squash bugs?

Community Answer

Use diatomaceous earth -- it is a great way to get rid of various bugs. Just sprinkle it around the base of the plant.

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Question

How do I tell the difference between male and female flowers on yellow squash?

Community Answer

It's the length of the stem. The male flower has a long stem and stands up form the base. The female flower has a short stem and is close at the base. Sometimes you can see a small, tiny squashette below the flower that will grow into the squash you want to eat. I like mine sauteed with onions and stewed tomatoes.

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Question

When my squash is about 1-2 inches, the fruit just withers and dies, even though the plant is large and healthy. What am I doing wrong?

Community Answer

They're most likely not getting pollinated. Google "manual pollination of squash."

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Question

Should the squash come right after flowers?

Community Answer

The fruit will be at the base of the bloom the bloom will stay on the fruit until fruit is about 6 to 8 inches long. You can harvest the fruit when the bloom falls off, or you can pick the fruit when it is developed and pinch the flower off.

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Question

The roots of my squash are exposed. Should I cover them with more dirt?

Community Answer

No. Let squash grow freely.

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Question

Can yellow squash flowers be cooked?

Community Answer

Yes. My father in law used to batter and fry squash blooms, and they taste identical to fried oysters.

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Question

Why does the skin of the squash get so hard? What do I do if it won't soften when it's cooked?

Community Answer

It is likely that it was picked too late. If not picked early enough, the plant will quit pushing water into the fruit, which causes the skin to get tough.

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Question

How do I pollinate the blossoms of my yellow squash by hand?

Community Answer

Peel male petals off slowly and gently to avoid breakage of male stigma. Then use male stigma to rub lightly and gently onto female stigma. Or you can use a Q-tip by touching male stigma and apply it onto female stigma.

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Question

Will the yellow squash continue to grow if the flowers have fallen off?

Community Answer

If the female flower fell off, then most probably no because the female flowers produce the actual fruit. The female flowers are the ones with tiny squashes growing behind them.

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Question

What do I feed yellow squash?

Community Answer

You could feed it handfuls of compost or vermicompost. you could also use a 10-10-10 fertilizer.

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