Cucurbits

Cucurbits are a family of flowering plants that includes popular garden vegetables like cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, and melons. They are typically vining plants and require warm weather to thrive.

Assortment of cucurbit vegetables — An assortment of delicious cucurbits.

Planting Cucurbits

Cucurbits are generally warm-season crops. Start seeds indoors a few weeks before the last frost date or sow directly into the garden once the soil has warmed. They need full sun and well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter.

Spacing: Varies by type. Bush varieties need less space than vining types, which can be trained on trellises.
Soil: pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Amend soil with compost before planting.
Watering: Consistent moisture is key, especially during flowering and fruiting. Water deeply at the base of the plants.

Common Cucurbit Varieties

Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)

Varieties include slicing, pickling, and burpless. Most are vining and benefit from trellising. They mature in 50-70 days.

Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo)

Includes zucchini, yellow squash, and pattypan squash. These are harvested when immature and tender. Bush types are common. Mature in 40-60 days.

Winter Squash (Cucurbita maxima, C. moschata, C. pepo)

Includes butternut, acorn, spaghetti squash, and pumpkins. Harvested when mature with a hard rind, allowing for winter storage. Mostly vining. Mature in 75-110 days.

Melons (Cucumis melo, Citrullus lanatus)

Includes cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon. Require a long, warm growing season. Vining plants that need ample space. Mature in 70-100 days.

Care and Maintenance

Fertilizing: Side-dress with compost or a balanced fertilizer when vines begin to run and again when fruits start to set.
Pollination: Cucurbits have separate male and female flowers. Pollinators (like bees) are essential. Hand-pollination can be done if fruit set is poor.
Pest and Disease Management: Common pests include squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and vine borers. Powdery mildew and downy mildew are common diseases. Choose resistant varieties, practice crop rotation, and ensure good air circulation.

Harvesting

Harvesting times depend on the specific cucurbit. Summer squash and cucumbers are picked when young and tender. Winter squash and pumpkins are harvested when fully mature, and the rind is hard. Melons are typically harvested when they slip easily from the vine or when the tendril nearest the fruit turns brown and dry.

Regular harvesting of cucumbers and summer squash encourages more production.