Categories

Looking for something specific?
Here are some things I’ve written about. Search any of these
.

apples, apricots, artichokes, arugula
beets, blueberries, broccoli
carrots, cauliflower, celery
cool season garden, cucumbers
garlic, guavas, insects, kale, kohlrabi
kumquats, lettuce, limes
marionberries, mustard ,oranges
organic, persimmons, poetry
pomegranates, radish, raised beds
rhubarb, scallions, snow peas
spinach, squash, strawberries
tangerines, tomatoes
warm season garden, zucchini
Something not here? Get in touch.

 

 

Garden Hacks--2

Garden Hacks--2

I am indebted to so many gardeners who have shared their collective wisdom and experience with me over the years. They are family members, neighbors, Master Gardeners, garden writers, bloggers and gardeners on social media. Sharing this knowledge motivated me to begin my blog, ten years ago and now over 1300 posts later.

I’m offering occasional posts of garden hacks I use. Some I’ve learned from others. Some I’ve developed to solve a problem. Here are a few of my favorite garden hacks useful this time of year with summer and winter squash.

748177BB-E5EC-450D-94D0-BB5411F08184.jpeg

Lifting developing squash off the soil or mulch keeps it dry and avoids soil-borne fungal disease, rot, discoloration and pests. Under this developing delicata squash and under the butternut squash in the thumbnail are concrete squares—samples I received from a manufacturer.

8163E1F1-8636-411F-BC1B-7B721796C426_1_201_a.jpeg

Use whatever you have on hand—flat stones, tiles or pieces of brick or concrete.

1CBB7F78-B91F-4038-A128-0225352C6F79_1_201_a.jpeg

As you check on your squash, cut out mildewed and diseased leaves. New leaves will develop. Use a liquid fish or kelp fertilizer for a mid-season boost. Squash plants are heavy feeders.

77075C04-9840-4057-BD19-9F3123BBE805_1_201_a.jpeg

Look for underdeveloped or rotting squash and remove. These will not mature and rob nutrients from the plant. They may invite pest damage.

C9971DD7-9A60-435A-9058-FB426C21ECC9_1_201_a.jpeg

Long sleeves and garden gloves make the squash tasks tolerable.

4BF1789D-947E-4591-B08E-D1515B0490A0_1_201_a.jpeg

Another garden hack. When I prepare to plant my squash seeds I sink a one or two gallon pot near the plants for irrigation. Next year I plan to put a one gallon pot near each of my six squash plants (two each of butternut, delicata and zucchini).

338A37FF-0F8D-4D7C-BBAE-3124ED7ACD3E_1_201_a.jpeg

The same technique works for tomato plants, cukes and eggplant too, sending water through the drain holes, down to the roots, keeping water away from the stem.

For more tips on growing squash check these links:

Growing Squash from Sowing to Harvest
Squash Growing

Corn Problems and Solutions

Corn Problems and Solutions

In My San Diego Garden and Kitchen

In My San Diego Garden and Kitchen