Hay should be avoided because it may contain weed seeds. Avoid using fresh lawn clippings or clippings from a lawn that was treated with a herbicide within the last six weeks. Squash require a plentiful supply of water. Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the season. If it does not rain, an application of an inch of water per week will be enough .
Squash plants are monoecious, having male and female flowers on the same plant.
Male blossoms appear first on a long stalk which often lifts the flower above the foliage. The female flowers are on a short stalk that resembles a small fruit. Squash requires cross-pollination, which is done mainly by bees or other insects. Different varieties of squash will cross-pollinate, so do not save seed if different varieties are grown in the same area and flower at the same time. Cross-pollination will not affect the look or taste of this year's fruit.