Should you, or is it all right, to cut back the vines of winter squash? And if so, at what point does it affect the remaining squash from getting nutrients or protection by the leaves?
While it's okay to prune some, you should only try to remove the growing tips so as not to leave large wounds that may draw squash pests and diseases.
We are having some trouble with our the leaves on our winter squash. We started the plants indoors about 4 weeks ago. They looked very healthy until recently when we transplanted them into a larger container. The leaves are now starting to dry up, starting on the outside of the leaf and moving towards the stem. Any suggestions? The last day of frost in our area is May 23.
This is normally a sign of either under or over watering. Make sure the drainage is good in the containers and the squash are not sitting in overly wet soil. And make sure that the soil does not dry out. For containers, you will want to water about once a day, twice a day in weather over 80 F.
I lost all my winter squash to vine borers and want to start new seeds. Is it too late?
Since you live in the south, it's worth a try. This article has information on planting winter squash. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/growing-winter-squash.htm
Don't put them in the same place they were before, though. Here's info on vine borers: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/squash-pests-identifying-and-preventing-squash-vine-borer.htm
Plant died early and winter squash is still bright green instead of yellow. Will squash have any flavor? Thanks.
Sometimes you can ripen them off the vine. It depends on how close to mature they were. This article will help you try: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/ripening-green-unripe-squash.htm
I have a beautiful Pumpkin growing on about an 8 foot vine, but every female blossom that has grown after this pumpkin on the vine falls off without hardly getting to 1 inch and the flower, of course, does not open. I know it's late. I'm here in a zone 4 in Montana and we had a very long winter and a late spring start. I love winter squash.
I would say this is a pollination issue. I would try hand pollinating those female blossoms and monitor for improvement. Here is an article that will guide you on the process:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/pollinate-squash-by-hand.htm
Happy gardening!
We have little bugs on the plants which litteraly ate all the green and were on the skins of the squash. The plants themselves turned brown and left the squash (winter) very small and they stopped growing. They are smaller than a football and the skin is very thick. Seems like all skin and seeds. Is there anything I can do to mature these squash so I can use them?
About the only thing you can do is get rid of the insect pests. Neem oil should help with this. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/pests/neem-oil-uses.htm
I have had blight on winter squash (particularly), rutabaga and tomatoes (I think). Carrots and kale escaped the curse just fine. We had an early rainy, cool season. I likely overwatered, too. Question is: my garden is only 8'x12', and there is no room to effectively rotate my crops. How do I get rid of the insects that bring the blight? (For coming year.)
Before growing anything in that area, I would recommend solarizing the soil in the planting bed. This should help kill off any leftover bacteria as well as any insects that may be overwintering in the soil. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/how-to-solarize-garden-beds-to-eliminate-garden-pests-in-the-soil.htm
During the growing season, you can also treat plants with neem oil, which is safe to use and effective against many types of insect pests. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/pests/neem-oil-uses.htm