Squash in the Garden
Gardening Tips for the Season
Petunias can be planted now. Their bright flowers will bloom all summer in hot, sunny locations and they will tolerate a light frost. “Topsy Turvy”® Tomato and Pepper Planters offer a fun and convenient way to grow these popular vegetables, hanging right outside your kitchen door.
The average date of the last frost in Willits is May 12, so protect young flowers and vegetables on clear, cold nights. Begin spraying roses now for insect and disease problems—Neem oil is a good, less toxic solution. Put up hummingbird feeders to enjoy these colorful and entertaining birds.
Squash Varieties
The squash family provides a wide variety of vegetables that differ greatly in size, shape, and flavor. They are divided into two groups: summer squash and winter squash.
Summer Squash
- Zucchini: Available in green, yellow, black, gray, and striped varieties, each with a slightly different flavor.
- Scalloped (Patty Pan/Scallopini): Round and flattened with scalloped edges, available in white, yellow, or green. Easy to grow and prolific.
- Round Bush Zucchini: Produces ball-shaped fruit perfect for stuffing.
- Yellow Crookneck: A well-known, delicious variety. Plants bear continuously when harvested at 5 to 6 inches long.
Summer squash are best enjoyed fresh from the garden but can only be stored for 1 to 2 weeks.
Winter Squash
- Acorn: A smaller winter squash with distinctive ridges and sweet, yellow-orange flesh. Commonly dark green.
- Banana: The largest variety, growing up to 4 feet long and 10–70 pounds (typically 10–20 pounds). Elongated with light pink or orange skin and bright orange flesh.
- Buttercup: Turban-shaped with dark green skin and deep-orange, sweet, mild flesh.
- Butternut: A popular variety with a smooth, long-necked bowling pin shape and creamy, sweet flavor.
- Delicata (Sweet Potato Squash): Creamy and sweet with a mild aroma. Oblong, cylindrical, and striped in creamy-yellow and green or orange.
- Hubbard: Large, tear-drop shaped with dark blue to green, bumpy skin and tender yellow flesh with a rich flavor. Also available in golden-skinned varieties.
- Spaghetti: Hard rind with unique flesh that separates into strings when cooked, making a low-calorie pasta substitute.
Winter squash develop a hard shell and can be stored for months, providing meals throughout the winter. Make room for new varieties in your garden to enjoy their flavors all summer and beyond.