Earliness Black plastic mulch will enhance earliness by 7 to 14 days. When plastic is combined with drip irrigation, yields are doubled and even tripled, compared with squash produced on soil without plastic. See Horticultural Information Leaflet No. 33 for further information about plastic mulch. Row covers also increase temperatures and results in earliness, while earliness can be further enhanced by using transplants. Only containerized transplants can be used since bareroot squash transplants will suffer too much root shock and die.
Pollination Observe the plants closely when blooming starts to see if bees are visiting the blooms.
Bees are essential for transferring pollen from male to female blooms. If bees are not readily noticeable in the field, place one strong colony per 1 to 2 acres near the field. Pest Control Consult the current N.C. Agricultural Chemicals Manual or your county extension agent. Insects Cucumber beetles attack squash at all stages. Special emphasis on their control should be given during the seedling stage.