Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook - 2021 - 108

Seed Treatment. Check with seed supplier to determine if seed
has been treated with an insecticide and/or fungicide. Information
on seed treatments can be found under SEED TREATMENTS in
the disease management section of the handbook.
Seeding, Transplanting, and Spacing. Use 4 to 6 pounds of seed
per acre. Seed or container-grown transplants are planted when
daily mean temperatures have reached 60°F. Containerized squash
transplants are susceptible to stunting if they are held in the container
for too long. Sowing seed will eliminate this concern. Seed
as indicated in following table. Early plantings should be protected
from winds with row covers, rye strips, or wind breaks. Space
rows 3 to 6 feet apart with plants 1.5 to 2.5 feet apart in the row.
SUMMER SQUASH PLANTING DATES
Spring
AL North
AL South
GA North
GA South
KY East
KY Central
KY West
LA North
LA South
MS North
MS South
NC East
NC West
SC East
SC West
TN East
TN West
NR = Not recommended
Mulching. Plastic mulch laid before field planting conserves moisture,
increases soil temperature, reduces mechanical damage to
fruit, and increases early and total yield. Plastic should be applied
on well-prepared planting beds. The soil must be moist when laying
the plastic. Black plastic mulch can be used without a herbicide.
In most situations, 50 percent of the nitrogen(N) should be in
the nitrate (NO3
) form.
Reflective, plastic mulches can be used to repel aphids that
transmit viruses in fall-planted (after July 1) squash. Direct seeding
through the mulch is recommended for maximum virus protection.
Growers should consider drip irrigation. See the section on
" Irrigation " in this handbook.
SUGGESTED FERTIGATION SCHEDULE
FOR SUMMER SQUASH*
(N:K;1:2)
Daily
Days after
planting
Preplant
0-14
8-28
29-63
nitrogen
0.9
1.3
1.5
* Adjust based on tissue analysis.
Daily
potash
(lb / A)
1.8
2.6
3.0
24.0
36.6
54.8
107.3
24.0
49.2
85.6
190.6
Cumulative
Nitrogen
Potash
4/15-8/15
3/1-4/30
5/1-8/15
3/1-4/30
5/15-7/15
5/10-8/1
4/20-8/15
3/15-5/15
3/1-5/15
4/15-6/15
2/15-5/1
4/1-5/30
5/15-7/31
3/15-7/30
4/15-7/30
5/10-8/1
4/15-7/15
Fall
8/1-8/30
7/15-9/15
NR
7/15-9/15
NR
NR
NR
7/15-8/31
8/1-9/15
7/25-8/14
8/14-9/14
7/15-8/15
NR
8/1-8/30
7/30-8/15
NR
NR
ALTERNATIVE FERTIGATION SCHEDULE
FOR SUMMER SQUASH*
(N:K,1:1)
Daily
Days after
planting
Preplant
0-7
8-21
22-63
nitrogen
Daily
potash
(lb / A)
1.0
1.5
2.0
*Adjust based on tissue analysis.
Harvest. Summer squash is a fast growing crop and when temperatures
are optimal (85 to 90°F during day and 65 to 70°F
during at night), and water is readily available, fruit will be ready
to harvest 35 to 40 days after seeding. When growing condition
are optimal, yellow squash should be harvested every two to three
days while zucchini should be harvested every one to two days.
SPECIAL NOTES FOR PEST MANAGEMENT
INSECT MANAGEMENT
Cucumber Beetle: Cucumber beetles cause direct feeding damage
to the foliage. Young plants need to be protected with insecticide
as soon as they emerge or are transplanted.
Squash Vine Borer: Pheromone baited sticky traps can be used
soon after planting to monitor the activity of the adult moths. Start
inspecting plants closely for squash vine borer eggs (1mm [1/25
inch] diameter oval, flattened, dull-red to brownish) as soon as
moths are caught in the traps. The first application of insecticide
should occur when eggs begin to hatch or just prior to hatching.
Applications should be made in afternoons or evenings after flowers
close to reduce the spraying of valuable pollinators, especially
bees. If pheromone traps are not used, a preventive treatment
should be applied when vines begin to run. Re-apply insecticide
every seven days for four weeks. Continue monitoring the pheromone
traps into August to detect the emergence of the new moths.
When moths are caught, inspect plants for second-generation
eggs, and begin the insecticide applications when eggs first begin
to hatch or just prior to hatching.
Aphids: Aphid feeding can delay plant maturity. Thorough spray
coverage, especially on the underside of the leaves is important.
Treat seedlings every five to seven days, or as needed. The
transmission of plant viruses by aphids has the potential to be
the most damaging to the crop. Unfortunately, insecticide use for
aphids does not reduce the spread of virus. A better approach is
the application of Stylet Oil to fill tiny grooves between the leaf
cells. When the aphid probes the leaf surface, its stylet must pass
through a layer of oil. This reduces the infectivity of the virus
resulting in less disease in the squash plant. The application of
Stylet Oil can delay virus infection, but requires application every
other day, thorough coverage and high-pressure sprays. Squash
varieties with virus resistance are recommended for all season
production when aphids and virus transmission are prevalent. Also,
refer to the preceding " Mulches " section for information on
1.0
1.5
2.0
24.0
31.0
52.0
136.0
24.0
31.0
52.5
136.5
Cumulative
Nitrogen
Potash
108
2021 Vegetable Crop Handbook for Southeastern United States
Southeastern U.S. Vegetable Crop Handbook - 2021

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