Crookneck Yellow Squash Seeds - Early Summer Squash - Curcubita pepo

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

USDA Zones 2-11 - Grows as a tender, warm-season annual in all zones. It cannot tolerate frost and requires warm soil and air temperatures to thrive.

Best performance in Zones 4-9 where the warm, long summers provide the perfect environment for vigorous growth and maximum fruit production over an extended period.

Northern Zones (2-5) - Direct sow seeds after all danger of frost has passed and the soil is thoroughly warm. Its fast maturity makes it a very reliable producer even in areas with shorter growing seasons.

Hot Climate Zones (8-11) - An excellent spring and fall crop. Plant in early spring for a heavy harvest before the peak summer heat. A second crop can be planted in late summer to take advantage of the cooling temperatures for a productive fall harvest.

Soil Temperature - Requires very warm soil for germination. Do not plant until the soil temperature is at least 65 F, with optimal germination occurring between 70-95 F.

Growing Season - This is a very fast-maturing vegetable, requiring only 45-55 frost-free days to begin producing. It will continue to produce until the first frost in the fall as long as the squash are harvested regularly.

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

When to Plant:
Direct sow seeds in the garden after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed to at least 65-70 F. Squash is very sensitive to cold. Starting indoors is not recommended as the seedlings do not transplant well.

Where to Plant:
Choose a location that receives full sun (at least 6-8 hours a day). Squash are heavy feeders and require fertile, well-drained soil. Work a generous amount of compost or well-rotted manure into the soil before planting.

How to Plant:

Direct Sowing: The traditional method is to plant in "hills." Create a small mound of soil about 1-2 feet wide. Plant 4-5 seeds in a circle on top of the hill, about 1 inch deep. Once the seedlings have their first set of true leaves, thin to the 2-3 strongest plants per hill.

Spacing: Space hills 3-4 feet apart to give the bushy plants plenty of room to spread out and ensure good air circulation.

Care & Maintenance:

Watering: Squash plants are thirsty. Provide consistent and deep watering, about 1-2 inches per week, especially once they begin to flower and set fruit. Water at the base of the plant to keep the leaves dry and help prevent diseases like powdery mildew.

Fertilizing: As heavy feeders, they benefit from a side-dressing of compost or a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer every 3-4 weeks throughout the growing season.

Pests: Keep a vigilant eye out for common pests like squash bugs and squash vine borers. Check the undersides of leaves for eggs and remove them.

Harvesting (The Most Important Step!): Harvest frequently for the best quality and to keep the plant productive. Pick crookneck squash when they are young and tender, about 5-7 inches long. If you let a squash grow too large, it will become tough and seedy, and the plant will stop producing new fruits. Use a knife or shears to cut the squash from the plant, leaving about an inch of stem attached.