Planting Summer Squash

When it comes to growing summer squash in the garden, there are many factors such as climate temperatures, irrigation, soil quality, and insect or disease pressures that must be controlled. Summer squash is usually the first warm-weather crop the guys recommend to plant in the vegetable garden.

Guide to Growing Summer Squash

Here in South Georgia, we are located in Zone 8B, therefore we plant summer squash typically as soon as temperatures become warm. Another reason behind planting summer squash early is to ensure we get around three to four rounds of squash before the squash bug pressure gets too bad in the garden. A few different varieties that we recommend growing is the patty-pan types like the Sunburst and Bennings Green Tint. When it comes to the more traditional summer squash types like the crookneck and straightneck we have varieties such as the Early Crookneck, Gentry, and Goldprize. Along with the summer squash, we have zucchini varieties such as Golden Delight, Golden Zebra, Spineless Beauty, Spineless Supreme, and Pascola. Next, the guys discuss the general rule of thumb when it comes to summer squash fertilization which is add a complete fertilizer like 20-20-20. To maintain disease control over the powdery and downy mildews we suggest Liquid Copper Fungicide or Monterey B.t. The number one factor when dealing with pests such as pickle worms, squash bugs, and vine borers is you have to control them early on to ensure they don't become a larger problem in the vegetable garden. For pest control, Travis suggests mixing the B.t. with the Neem Oil one week and then the next week the Take Down Garden Spray. Overall, when growing summer squash you must get rid of plants when production begins to decline to ensure you don't create a host for pest to live and feed off of.

Show and Tell Segment

On the show and tell segment, Travis has a heap of Brussel sprouts that he has harvested from the vegetable garden. The different Brussel sprout varieties that he shows off is the hybrid, Jade Cross and productive open-pollinated Red Bull. The guys also discuss what crops they plan on planting coming soon in the garden. Greg is exterminating with using perlite on top of his seed starting trays after he dibbles in potting soil. The commercial growers use this perlite method to cover the top of seeds instead of using more Pro-Mix.

Viewer Questions Segment

On the question and answer segment this week, the guys answer questions about when the payoff stage of onions begins, tips on growing corn on a smaller scale, planting winter squash, and the cause of having a hole in the center of potatoes. Travis mentions that you will know when the onion bulbs have begun the payoff stage because the base will start to enlarge. Greg recommends when growing a smaller scale of corn you need to make sure the corn is hilled well to help ensure strong weather conditions do not ruin the plot. When you experience having a hole in the center of potatoes, Greg mentions that it is a physiological problem that is known as a hollow heart and is most likely caused by too much or lack of irrigation.

Product of the Week

Complete Organic Fertilizer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnlycgWWLFg