Hey everyone, I'm looking for some winter squash advice. I tried transplanting my winter squash while direct sowing my summer varieties, but the summer squash are thriving in this sunny weather while my winter squash are struggling to develop their true leaves. They're stunted and it's early June now, so I'm worried I won't get a good harvest. I built a nice trellis and need to find a backup plan fast!
I'm considering direct sowing some winter squash that are quick to grow and vining but somewhat compact. I previously tried honeynuts, but they tend to take longer to mature. What are some good vining winter squash varieties I can direct sow now to hopefully get some squash by early to mid-fall? Thanks for any recommendations!
1 Answer
I recommend giving your transplanted winter squash a bit more time before giving up on them. They may seem stunted above ground, but they could be focusing on developing their roots first. If you choose to direct sow, I suggest going with Cucurbita moschata varieties like trombocino, as they tend to be more resistant to squash vine borers, which can be a real hassle. If you're buying new seeds, pick whatever sounds good. Good luck!
My plan is to dig a few seeds into the soil of each transplant mound and see which one grows better. If the transplants take off quicker, I’ll keep them of course. Ugh, those squash borers are relentless! Last year, I was inspecting my plants every day to catch their eggs. It's so much work!