| Summer squash is a warm-season crop that is relatively easy to grow requiring a short season - usually 40 to 50 days from sowing to maturity. Summer squash is typically direct seeded after all danger of frost is passed. Soil temperatures should be between 70?F and 90?F for optimal seed germination. For best growth, plant summer squash no earlier than March 10 to 30 in south Alabama; April 1 to 15 in central Alabama; and April 15 to May 10 in north Alabama. Make successive plantings of summer squash every 10 to 14 days throughout the summer and fall to ensure a steady supply of fruit. For plantings in the late fall, sow no later than 60 to 70 days before the first frost date. With proper care, summer squash can be successfully grown on most soils in Alabama. Avoid low, poorly drained soils. Well drained, sandy loams with high levels of organic matter and a pH of 6.0 to 6.5 are preferred. You may want to have your soil tested so you know the pH and whether or not you need to add lime. Hope this information helps! |
