Growing squash in the southern United States is a part of the culture as well as being a nutritional part of meals all over the world. Some varieties are classified as summer squash and some are classified as winter squash. The most common of the summer squash varieties are the yellow straight necked or crook necked that are often sliced and fried or added to stir fry dishes.

Zucchini are popular summer squashes for frying, stir frying, cubing to add to soups or salads as well as grating to be used in zucchini bread much in the same way bananas are used for banana bread. The common winter varieties are butternut, acorn, and spaghetti squashes. Butternut squash is often used for fall soups and can be baked and served in a similar fashion as baked sweet potatoes.

The fact is there are literally thousands of species and subspecies in the family Curcurbitaceae and many forms have originated and migrated all over the world. With the range in sizes, colors, flavors, shapes, and growing seasons, they are perhaps one of the more versatile vegetable groups. Along with the classification of summer and winter squashes, there are also vine type and bush type plants. It is important to know which type when planning the garden area as vines will tend to wrap around other plants to use as support as they grow.

Generally squash are grown in hills of either three or four seeds or three or four seedlings that are a few feet apart with the distinction of distance depending upon the type of squash being grown. The distance can be problematic to some farmers with limited space, however as long as squash are picked as they ripen they will continue to bloom and produce throughout the growing season. Their tendency toward producing hardily tends to reduce the number of individual plants needed for an adequate supply of produce during the growing season for personal use as well as sharing with neighbors and friends.

Most varieties prefer full sun, but will also need good soil with acceptable drainage and suitable moisture. The moisture issue can be tricky because too much moisture will promote bacterial and fungal problems that can spread and destroy the entire crop. Beetles and other insects can also have an adverse effect on the plants, blooms, and squash as they grow. Rotating to different areas of the garden each year, using organic fungicides and pesticides, as well as removing and destroying all plant debris after the growing season, will make growing squash a productive part of the garden for years to come.

Alan has experimented with growing a variety of fruits and vegetables. Ones that he has tried include growing broccoli, leeks, spinach, squash, radishes, rhubarb, eggplant and even growing watermelon.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Stables

http://EzineArticles.com/?Growing-Squash-Enough-To-Share&id=7076401