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How Much Water Does Yellow Squash Need?
How Much Water Does Yellow Squash Need?. Yellow squash (Cucurbita pepo) is a type of summer squash that produces tender, yellow fruits that are eaten fresh or added to stir-fries and other vegetable dishes. It prefers humus-rich, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.8 and 6.8 and performs best in evenly moist soil. How much water it needs depends...
Yellow squash (Cucurbita pepo) is a type of summer squash that produces tender, yellow fruits that are eaten fresh or added to stir-fries and other vegetable dishes. It prefers humus-rich, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.8 and 6.8 and performs best in evenly moist soil. How much water it needs depends on its stage of growth and the soil and weather conditions.
Rainfall
Under normal growing conditions in average soil, yellow squash requires 1 to 2 inches of rain a week. Plants grown in sandy soil that drains rapidly may dry out and need supplemental watering despite adequate rainfall, while those grown in heavy clay soil may suffer when rainfall rises to 2 inches a week.
Container-Grown Plants
Soil in containers dries more rapidly that soil in the garden. Your container-grown yellow squash plants may need daily watering to keep the soil moist. If the soil feels dry 1 inch below the surface, water the plants until the soil is saturated and water runs freely through the bottom of the container. As the plant matures, its watering needs increase to support the size of the pant. While a quart of water a day may be enough for seedlings, large, rapidly-growing plants may consume a gallon or more in a day.
Yellow Squash in the Garden
Yellow squash in the garden may require supplemental watering during dry spells. Morning watering is preferred as it gives your yellow squash plants the moisture they need to withstand the heat of the day. Morning watering also reduces the amount of moisture lost to evaporation, and allows the foliage to dry quickly, eliminating the risks of disease from wet foliage.
The Clemson University Extension recommends watering until the top 6 inches of soil feels damp to the touch and explains that lighter watering causes the plants to form shallow root systems near the surface of the soil. The amount of water you will need to moisten the top 6 inches depends on the structure of your soil.
Reducing Watering
Reducing the amount of water you apply to your yellow squash plants when the fruits begin to form lessens the chances of fruit rot, explains the Utah State University Extension service. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings, using your plant's health as a guide to how much water to apply at this time. Signs of wilting, not attributed to insect pests or disease, indicate your yellow squash plants need watering.
