Midwest Vegetable Guide - 2022 - 122

Cucurbit Crops - Horticulture
Fertilizing
pH: Maintain a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.8, or 6.3 to 6.8 for melons.
If your soil test indicates less than 70 ppm magnesium, use
dolomitic limestone, or apply 50 pounds per acre Mg
broadcast preplant incorporated.
Cucumbers, Melons, Pumpkins, Squash, and Watermelon
for Fresh Market: Before planting, apply 40 to 60 pounds N
per acre, 0 to 150 pounds P2O5 per acre, and 0 to 200 pounds
K2O per acre based on soil test results and recommendations
from your state. In plasticulture systems, preplant fertilizer
may be applied just over the row prior to bedding and/or
laying plastic. For transplants, a starter solution at a rate of 1
cup (8 ounces) per plant is recommended. If the transplant
flat receives a heavy fertilizer feeding just prior to setting, the
starter solution can be eliminated.
Sidedress with 30-45 pounds N per acre when the vines begin
to run. If heavy rains occur in June, apply an additional 30
pounds N per acre at fruit set. Sidedressing may be replaced
by supplying N through a drip irrigation system at1/2 to 1
pound N per acre daily, or 3 to 6 pounds N weekly through
the trickle system if additional N is needed until fruit are
about 2 inches in diameter.
For direct seeded crops on sandy soils, the preplant N
application can be replaced by an early sidedressing of 40
pounds N per acre when the plants show the first true leaves.
Apply the second sidedressing of 45 pounds N per acre at
onset of rapid vining.
Reduce the total amount of fertilizer N applied by the value
of N credits from green manures, legume crops grown in the
previous year, compost and animal manures, and soils with
more than 3 percent organic matter. The total amount of N
from fertilizer (including starter) and other credits should be
80 to 100 pounds per acre.
Cucumbers for processing: Before planting, apply 40
pounds N per acre, 0 to 150 pounds P2O5 per acre, and 0 to
200 pounds K2O per acre based on soil test results and
recommendations from your state. Sidedress with another 40
pounds N per acre.
Harvesting
Cucumbers: Unless a once-over mechanical harvester is
used, cucumbers should be harvested at two- to four- day
intervals to prevent losses from oversized and over-mature
fruit. Desired harvest sizes range from 5 to 8 inches long and
1.5 to 2 inches in diameter for fresh market slicing types. If
growing for processors, be sure to understand the specific
terms of their contracts at the beginning of the growing
season. Prices received are related to the quantity of fruit
within specific size ranges as established by either USDA
guidelines or by the processor.
122
Melons: During ripening, eastern type cantaloupes develop
an identifiable abscission zone and form tan-colored netting.
Harvest index is at three-quarter or full-slip stage. The fruit
do not keep well in the field when ripe. Harvest every one to
three days.
Cantaloupe varieties with long shelf life (such as Infinite
Gold and Durawest) were tested in the Midwest. Long shelf
life varieties have delayed abscission compared to normal
eastern type cantaloupes. They either stay in green or have a
continuous color change. Color and abscission are not used as
harvest indices for long shelf life varieties. Indicators of the
optimal ripeness are when there are a few vertical cracks on
the peduncle but the fruit has not slipped yet. Long shelf life
varieties can hold longer in the field, allowing growers to
harvest two or three times.
Honeydew, crenshaw and canary melons do not develop
netting on the skin and do not form abscission zones during
ripening. Color is the primary harvest index, and they must be
cut from the vine.
Pumpkins and Winter Squash: For pumpkins and most
winter squash it is desirable to maintain green plants as long
as possible, to allow fruit to mature on the vine. Full fruit
maturity typically occurs about 55 days after fruit set; this
may be two or more weeks after the rind has turned to its
mature color and hardened. Pumpkins and winter squash
harvested before full maturity will not keep as long and have
lower eating quality. Mature fruits can be windrowed in full
sun without worrying about sunburn and collected over a
week or more. Acorn squash should be picked and packed
close to sale. Though they are considered a winter squash,
they are an immature fruit, and do not respond well to field
curing. They lose moisture in storage and become more
susceptible to post-harvest rots.
For ornamental pumpkins, if the leaves are dying and the fruit
is over 50% colored, it may be best to harvest. Fruit harvested
earlier than 50% color eventually turn, but they do not
become hard, mature fruit and they rot more easily. Getting
immature fruit out of the field and into a dry, somewhat
shady area will allow for curing without as much risk for
sunburn, insect infestation and possibly some fruit rots. Cut
them from the vines and clean off as much soil as you can. If
you suspect fruit rots may become an issue it would be best to
place them in a sanitizing dip if you can. This will not
guarantee the fruit will not rot since some fruit rots can be
systemic.
Avoid harvesting in wet areas likely to be infested with
phytophthora, or keep that fruit separate from fruit harvested
from other areas of the field. This will minimize fruit to fruit
contamination. Stack and package carefully to avoid stem
breakage, and to prevent stems from puncturing other fruit.
Summer Squash: Harvesting and packing summer squash is
a delicate process to avoid scratching the soft, immature fruit.
Midwest Veg Guide 2022
Midwest Vegetable Guide - 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Midwest Vegetable Guide - 2022
