One interesting member of the gourd family, which can easily be grown in Pakistan, is the squash. Squashes are popular among home-gardeners due to their ample produce and their likelihood of begetting a bumper crop.

Squashes are generally divided into two main categories, based upon the seasons they are grown in — summer squash and winter squash. Generally, winter squash produces its harvest at the end of the season, while summer squash continues to provide a yield throughout the season. Both of these categories are further divided into different types and are named according to their characteristics and distinct features.

The type of summer squash that we will be covering today is locally known to many as chapan kaddu. It is one of the common squash varieties that are widely available across Pakistan. The seeds of the summer squash are flat, oval-shaped and white to light-brown in colour. The seeds should be sown when the temperature is at least 18 degree Celsius. In Sindh, these seeds can therefore be easily sown around mid-January and, in Punjab, they can be sown during late January and February.

Depending upon multiple factors, the seeds of summer squash germinate in a week and the plant grows quickly as well. Therefore, instead of transplanting the sapling, it is recommended that the seeds should always be sown at the plant’s permanent position.

Growing a variety of gourds and squashes is almost mandatory for any home gardener during the summers

Since summer squash plants produce an ample yield, it is therefore necessary that the soil used is rich in nutrients. The seeds should be placed at least half-an-inch below the surface of the well-drained soil. The seeds should then be covered with a layer of soil and watered lightly.

It should be ensured that the soil does not become dry. To avoid dryness, the soil surface can be covered with mulch to ensure water retention. If the squash is being grown in the ground, the distance between each plant of summer squash should be of at least one foot on either side. If the plant is being grown in a container, then the ideal size of the container should be at least 12 inches in height and diameter.

It is a fast growing plant and, as compared to other gourds and melons, the leaves of the summer squash are also bigger in size. Due to these two reasons, it is relatively difficult to manage this plant. Although the summer squash plant is a bushy, medium-sized plant, it can be trained to grow like a vine. To achieve this, a trellis is installed and the plant is intentionally wrapped around it. This is the preferred and more viable option for those who have limited ground space available and want to focus more on vertical farming.

It also helps the fruit to hang near the trellis and ensure that it does not come in contact with the soil below. This greatly reduces the chances of the summer squash rotting. The chances of any pest and disease attacks on its leaves also decrease, since the leaves hang without touching the ground.

The summer squash has big, edible and bright yellow flowers. Initially, the plant produces male flowers to attract pollinators. If there is a lack of pollinators, especially if the plant is being grown at home or in a city, then hand-pollination is necessary.

Once the fruit has matured, it should be harvested depending upon one’s requirements. Many prefer to harvest and eat young fruit, while others wait till there is an abundance of pulp and seeds inside. The fruit of the summer squash should be constantly harvested. This helps the plant to continue producing more fruits.

Balanced NPK fertiliser should be sprayed fortnightly and calcium supplements should be added to the soil as well. This will ward off the blossom end rot. Common pests of this plant include squash bugs, squash vine borers, mealy bugs and aphids, while the most common disease that infects this plant is powdery mildew. The leaves characteristically appear to have white powder on them. Such leaves should be cut off the plant and removed, since it is a very fast spreading disease. To combat all other pests, a fortnightly spray of neem oil pesticide is recommended.

The summer squash is a sun-loving plant and it should be kept in a place which receives direct sunlight from morning to noon. The plant needs generous watering, but overwatering should be avoided.

Please send your queries and emails to doctree101@hotmail.com. The writer is a physician and a host for the YouTube channel ‘DocTree Gardening’ promoting organic kitchen gardening

Published in Dawn, EOS, June 4th, 2023