For the first time this season, my neighbor has grown squash. In response to her desire to grow her own vegetables, I suggested the summer squash as a good starter plant. Squash is native to North America and is easy to grow.
Her plants have grown well throughout the growing season, but when she noticed the yellow squash had bumps on its skin, her joy turned to sorrow. “What happened to my yellow squash with bumps on its skin?” she asked.
Summer Crookneck Squash
Although summer squash tends to have smoother, softer skins than winter squash, many varieties of squash have bumpy skin. Yellow crookneck squash tends to have smooth skin, but it can develop bumps over time.
Crookneck squash grows 8 to 10 inches long, with pale meaty flesh that is slightly sweet. Squashes are versatile, sustaining foods that are delicious roasted or steamed, and used in soups and stews.
As yellow crookneck squash’s skins are soft and taste better before they’re fully grown, harvesting them before they’re fully grown is important. The longer they are left to grow, the tougher their skin becomes, which is why they develop bumps.
How Do I Grow Healthy Crookneck Squash?
There is plenty of space and full sun needed for squash to grow on sprawling vines. To maintain their health and to grow fruit, they need a daily supply of water because they have shallow roots.
At the end of this blog, I have included links for purchasing squash seed that my neighbor grew from seed. Indoors or outdoors, squash seeds can be started off indoors or directly sown.
Depending on the temperature of the soil and the amount of moisture available, seeds germinate within 5 to 10 days. At this stage, avoid overwatering. There should be light moisture in the soil, but it should not be wet.
Once your young plant is outside growing, ensure it has plenty of space, water, and sunlight. In order to maintain soil warmth and prevent the sun from drying out the soil, a mulch should be applied around the squash plant. Weeds are also discouraged by mulching.
So Why Does My Yellow Squash Have Bumps on Skin?
There are bumps on squash skin that look unappealing, but they don’t affect taste or quality. In the same family as cucumbers, pumpkins, and melons, squash is susceptible to disease.
Yellow crookneck squash can have bumpy skin due to some common problems. If your soil has too much calcium or has some problem with insects, you may have aphids that carry diseases.
A strong blast of water will knock aphids off plants if you have a serious aphid infestation. Pruning affected stems and removing debris from the site will help. In order for healthy air to flow through the plants, each plant needs ample space to grow.
How Can I Prevent Problems and Grow Healthy Squash?
Purchase disease-resistant seeds and grow squash in the healthiest conditions possible as a start. Maintain soil health by rotating crops, keeping weeds at bay, and not overwatering.
It is also important to remember that squash is thirsty plants, and if the weather is warm, they grow quickly. Keep an eye on the squash plants daily to see how they are doing. Whenever possible, pick yellow squash before they mature, as the older they get, the more bumps they’ll develop.
It is natural for yellow squash to have bumps on the skin. Don’t leave squash to become old and ‘woody’. Pick them when they’re young. Your fingernail can still make an indentation in the flesh when they are ready to eat.
Bumpy plants are not unhealthy, so don’t be alarmed by them. With the right seeds and amazing growing conditions, you’ll be able to grow squash for years to come.
Crookneck yellow squash seeds are available in two varieties:
- The heirloom variety of yellow, summer crookneck squash seeds
- Yellow, Summer Crookneck Squash seeds, organic
I hope you enjoyed my blog post about yellow squash with bumps on the skin. Let us know if you have a great variety of yellow squash that you have grown successfully and comment below. Don’t forget to share this with your family and friends so they can enjoy yellow squash as well.