Squashes are not native to the UK, yet growing squash in your allotment is fairly easy. All you need to do is find a warm and large spot.
Many people ask how pumpkins and squash are different, so here’s a quick explanation: Pumpkins are a type of squash, most specifically a ‘winter squash’, so, all pumpkins are squashes but not all squashes are pumpkins.
Squashes belong to the courgettes family. They come in many varieties; shapes, colours and sizes, and are technically fruit as they are grown from flowers. They require plenty of sun and water to grow to their potential and fully ripen. It’s worth knowing that Ornamental Gourds are inedible.
Read our guide on how to grow squash in the UK. Sign up on the Allotment Online platform to post your tips and insights!
Squashes come in two popular variants- winter and summer. Summer squashes have thinner peel and have a shorter shelf life.
Winter squashes which also include pumpkins, are harvested during late autumn and winter and are much more compatible with our climate. When growing squashes, you can choose between the trailing variant or the bushy variety grown in containers. This choice will depend on how much garden space you have.
Let’s start by answering the most important question first, ‘When to plant squashes?’.
Squashes' seeds can be sown indoors in individual pots during spring and kept in a bright and warm location or directly outside later; in late May or early June. They should be sown on the side to prevent rotting. If the weather has not warmed up sufficiently, the young plants may need some fleece protection.
How you choose to grow your squashes will depend on the variety as well as your location and the space you have available on your plot. They require a lot of space; each individual sapling needs to be planted approximately 4 feet apart, directly in the soil.
Some may be grown vertically and trained on a sturdy structure that will hold the heavy foliage and fruits when they are formed. Others can be grown in large containers, which will require plenty of watering if they are in compost.
When growing squash, you need to pay attention to first preparing the ground. Dig a hole about a foot in depth and fill it with compost and manure. When you’re growing squash outdoors and plant the seeds directly into the soil, make sure you cover the opening of the hole with a perforated plastic bag. Once the seed germinates, and plants start appearing, thin them out.
Do watch for problems, such as slugs, rats and mice, and mildew on the large leaves. Try to water around the plant instead of directly on it as it can lead to fungal growth.
Water well during dry spells and feed them once per week. To improve the quality of your fruits, you can pinch out excessive fruits that form to give you a few large ones or half a dozen smaller ones per plant. Once the plant starts bearing fruit, add tomato feed every two weeks.
Another important question is when to pick squashes?
Once the fruits have grown large enough to be sitting on the ground, place something underneath them to prevent them from rotting in the soil; such as a piece of wood or similar protective barrier. You can move them enough without breaking the stems to expose them to sunlight away from the large leaves that often shade them.
Similar to pumpkins, squashes should be firm and fully ripened for harvesting during the autumn providing they have had adequate summer sun. Cut them off at the stalks and let them sit in the sunshine until their skins harden up.
Squashes can be stored in a cool place for a period of time, depending on the variety.
Allotment Online offers you guidance and tips for all things related to growing your own crops. Whether you’ve just started your allotment growing journey or are an experienced grower, our platform will help you find support from a community of allotment growers. Ready to start growing squash? Sign up and post your story!
Are you looking for tips on growing peas, cauliflower or carrots? Head to our Grow Your Own page and we’ll answer more specific growing related questions.
