Squash, otherwise known as Cucurbita in the scientific world, is a member of the Cucurbitaceae (gourd) plant family. This plant of the gourd family is native to Mexico and Central America. It can be consumed raw, steamed, roasted, fried, or even puree. This fruit is proven to help cardiovascular health, hand-to-eye coordination, and fitness. It’s rich in vitamins A, B, and C and contains a high concentration of manganese and potassium.
Growing Squash Through Companion Planting
Companion planting is one of those magic tricks that we use as farmers to get a better yield and produce results in the farm space. It involves cultivating two or more plants, so they both play a joint role in boosting the production of one or both plants.
In the following lines, we will see 20 plants that best combine with Squash in the same planting space.
1. Nasturtiums
This flowering plant adds a sense of aesthetic fragrance to the squash plantation. Aside from the beauty nasturtiums add to the squash farm, they also serve the Squash by attracting insects that would have been harmful to the Squash themselves, thereby keeping the squash farm safe from pest infestation.
2. Marigold
Scientifically, marigold reduces soil nematode concentration, but this is just a side attraction compared to the fact that Marigolds attract beneficial insects to the squash plantation. Some of the insects attracted to the squash farm are responsible for pollination. But that’s not all about what marigolds can do for squash plantations; Marigolds also repel damage-inflicting insects such as aphids.
3. Radish
Squash vine borers are another nightmare of squash farms, and guess what? Radish is the most natural solution for that. Radish repels pests (squash vine borers and others) that are harmful to the squash farm, thereby working as a sort of bodyguard for the squash farm.
4. Peas
Peas also are great companions for Squash on the farmland. The peas exhume nitrogen into the soil, and the nitrogen is helpful for the growth of Squash. The caution with companioning peas with Squash, however, is to plant the peas a little distance from the main squash farm. Peas also become a shield to weeds in the squash farm space.
5. Corn
Corns grow tall, which is a valuable benefit when planted as squash companions. The tall corn plants will provide an excellent shade for Squash to blossom in harsh heat conditions.
6. Dill
Dill isn’t precisely directly beneficial to Squash, I’ll explain. The presence of Dills attracts ladybugs, and ladybugs aren’t exactly harmful or directly beneficial to Squash. Ladybugs prey on insects such as aphids that are dangerous to squash farms.
7. Peppermint
Peppermint attracts pollinators to the squash farm, thereby keeping the squash plants adequately pollinated. But not only is peppermint a good companion for Squash because of its pollination prospects, but it’s also a good companion because it attracts earthworms which keep the soil profile aerated.
8. Chives
Chives are a part of the Allium plant family, and their fragrance contributes to flavouring the Squash planted within the same vicinity. Chives also have a pest-repellant attribute that helps Squash when planted together. Chives have also been known to deter deer from squash farms.
9. Lemon balm
Lemon balm is another great plant to have around your squash farm. This lemon balm will attract bees to the farm, ensuring the squashes are adequately pollinated. Lemon balm also serves as a trap crop for aphids.
10. Lettuce
Lettuce matures before Squash, so when both are planted in a strategic companionship, you can use the land space best. That is, getting more yield for the same landmass.
11. Beets
Beets produce in the ground, creating space for proper soil aeration. This factor of soil aeration alone makes beets a good companion for Squash, but it doesn’t end at that; beets also keep the soil moist enough for germination if the Squash is planted with it.
12. Marjoram
Marjoram attracts bees and hoverflies to the squash farm, which are beneficial insects to the squash farm, which would have stayed away if the Marjoram were not present on the farm.
13. Calendula
When calendula is planted around Squash, it acts as a trap crop for aphids. It also attracts beneficial insects to the squash farm.
14. Sunflower
The presence of sunflowers in a squash farm is basically for shade production. When the sunflower grows tall, it creates a shade under which the Squash can keep blossoming in the coolness of the sunflower’s shade.
15. Borage
Borage serves as a natural pest repellant for Squash when planted together. Still, apart from this, borage becomes natural mulch for the Squash in the farm space.
16. Rosemary
This flowering herb attracts beneficial insects to the squash farm, keeping the farm in good insect hands. Another benefit of Rosemaries to squash farms is that they attract insects that facilitate pollination.
17. Tansy
Cucumber beetles, though it is named Cucumber, have seriously damaging effects on squash farms. Fortunately, Tansy is a natural remedy for Cucumber beetles, which makes it a good planting companion for Squash.
18. Beans
Beans fix nitrogen into the soil, and guess the crop that needs a good supply of nitrogen? You guessed right, Squash. The presence of beans will help the Squash get a good supply of nitrogen needed for growth.
19. Tomatoes
Tomatoes and Squash have similar growing requirements; they complement each other when planted in the same land space.
20. Garlic
Garlic deters aphids, and aphids are some of the most terrific pests of a squash plantation. Therefore, adding garlic lines to your squash farm will prevent an aphid invasion.
What Not to Grow with Squash
Companion planting can become a nightmare when it is done incorrectly. Some plants aren’t just compatible with Squash; you have to be aware of those, so keep them away from the squash farm. Cucumber, pumpkin, brassica, fennel, and potatoes generally deter squash farms, be sure to keep them off the farm.
Squash Growing Conditions
Properly drained soil and good sunlight exposure are the basic requirements of a blossoming squash garden (or farm). In planting Squash, do not let the squash seeds exceed one-inch depth into the earth, and space each Squash 15 inches from the next to allow each one enough room to blossom.
Squash seeds would start sprouting between one and two weeks after seeding them. Once the squash seeds sprout from the earth, you can take out the sproutings to allow 36 inches of spacing in between the squashes. It generally takes about two months after seeding for squash plants to start producing fruits, after which it keeps producing for some time.