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Re: Squash Help



Bart Walls wrote:

> All of the squash that I planted a month and a half or so ago have been
> effectively whacked by the squash vine borer.  So as suggested in Mel's
> book, I have planted another round.  I want some fresh homegrown squash so
> bad I can already taste it *smile* so I am willing to just about anything
> (organic or inorganic) to make sure the borers don't feast on me again.
> However, I'm not much up on performing surgery on my plants like Mel
> suggests.  I'd rather spray with something to prevent them if I can.  Any
> suggestions?

In my Maryland zone 7 the squash vine borer stops laying eggs just about now
(July 4) in a typical year.
            I also understand that the stems of plants have to be fairly large
before the borer finds them attractive sites for egg laying.
            I find that I can set out my seedlings two weeks or so before July
4th and be OK.
If I want squash even sooner, I set them out under floating row covers and
only remove the covers when the blossoms are ready for pollination.
            Check with your extension service re the borer's dates in your
area and plant accordingly, and there will be no need to spray.
            Good luck
                        Ed Flynn   Maryland    zone 6/7


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