aphids on the roots of squash
Black plastic is a good choice for northern areas, but in the extremely warm areas it can warm the soil too much. Organic mulches are good, too, but may provide shelter for pests like squash bugs. Foil mulches help prevent aphid problems. To prevent rot, support fruit on scraps of wood. Rotate crops so that no member of the cucurbit family (cucumbers, melons, and squash) is grown in the same place more often than every 4 years.