Free Shipping When You Spend $50 or More

How to Grow Squash

Thinking of giving squash a go? They're easy and quick growing – you can be harvesting in as little as 6-7 weeks! They're in the same family as pumpkins and melons, so you know they will taste good. Try them baked, roasted, steamed or sliced and thrown into stir-fries.

Full sun

Regular watering

Well drained

Suitable for all climatic zones.

6-7 weeks from planting

From spring in most areas, however, in warmer climates, they can be grown all year round (check label)

How to grow squash in a garden

Step 1

Choose a sunny spot with well drained soil and enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.

Step 2

Form small mounds of soil and space 70cm apart. Sow 3-4 seeds into each mound and water well.

Step 3

As seedlings grow, thin to the two strongest plants in each mound. Feed weekly with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food.

Step 4

Water regularly, particularly in hot or windy weather. Mulch with organic mulch like sugar cane or pea straw to help retain soil moisture.

Step 5

Harvest regularly to encourage more flowers and fruit.

How to grow squash in a pot

Step 1

Choose a pot at least 400mm wide and deep. Position in full sun and fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Step 2

Sow direct by clumping 3-4 seeds into each planting hole. Water in well.

Step 3

As seedlings grow, thin to the two strongest plants. Feed weekly with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food.

Step 4

Harvest regularly to encourage more flowers and fruit.

Yates varieties

Growing tips

Hand pollination can be used to help improve fruit set. To hand pollinate, pick male flowers (sitting above a fairly thin erect stem), remove petals and gently brush over the centre of the female flowers (flowers sitting above a tiny swollen base). Do this early in the morning as the short-lived flowers can close by mid-morning.
Try watering the soil more than the leaves. Water sitting on the foliage all day can promote fungal issues, like powdery mildew.