A Squash Planting System for the Home Garden

• A 4 feet X 4 feet sheet of black plastic mulch.

• A 3 liter soft drink bottle to aid in irrigating below the plastic mulch.

• A piece of spunbound horticultural row cover material. A fine netting will also work.

Home Garden System Will Use:

• Bring the 4 corners together of a 4 feet by 4 feet piece of black plastic to find the center.

• Cut from the center point a length that is ½ the diameter of a 3 liter soft drink bottle.

• Cut 2 holes for plants about 3 inches from the edge of the bottle hole and on opposite sides.

Cut holes in plastic mulch

• Loosen soil in an area at least 5 feet by 5 feet.

• Scatter fertilizer uniformly on soil in the area to be covered by plastic – (4 feet by 4 feet). (Use 1/3 lbs. 13-13-13)

• Mix fertilizer into the soil to 3 inches deep with hoe.

• Make a hole in the soil for 3 liter bottle in the center of the fertilized area.

Apply fertilizer below area to be covered plastic

• Make two holes in bottle using a hot, large size needle. A small nail is too big!

• Bottle will be placed in a hole about 3 inches deep.

• Put some small stones in the bottle for weight to keep it in place. Keep stones below the holes.

Soft drink bottle irrigation aid

• Use soil to hold plastic in place. Wire staples help at the corners.

• Place bottle in center hole so that watering holes line up with plant holes.

• Plant squash seed 3 per hole

• Cover with ¾ inch of soil

Anchor plastic mulch in place

• Install hoops made with clothes hanger wire. Use a gentle curve.

• Install row cover over the area. Use stones or scrap wood around edge to hold in place.

• Fill 3 liter bottle to water.

Cover with row cover

• Water to keep crop growing – fill bottle probably 2-3 times per week; maybe more often during summer

• Remove weeds around edges and in plant holes.

• Keep covered until female flowers present.

• Uncover during mornings for pollination – re-cover.

Care during crop growth

• How did your planting demonstration work out?

• Please send questions, comments, pictures, and suggestions to:

• Jim Shrefler, Area Horticulturist, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension

• email jim.shrefler@okstate.edu• phone: 580-924-5312

Your Feedback is Appreciated