The first step to an abundant harvest is to decide what the family likes to eat; there’s no point in growing basketfuls of produce that no one wants. The next step is planting at the right time, particularly since “summer” and “winter” squash can be somewhat misleading. Both types are actually started within a few weeks of each other in the spring or summer, but winter squash has a longer growing season.
Summer Stars
Zucchini, yellow, crookneck, pattypan, and other summer squash are typically planted first, right after the last frost when soil temperatures are consistently over 65 degrees F (April to June, depending on the agricultural zone).They are bush-style plants. The fruit can be harvested while they are young and tender, typically in about 50 to 60 days (June to August). The more frequently they are harvested, the more they’ll produce.
