Monthly Tip

Squash plants have male and female flowers on the same plant. Male flowers have a long thin stem while female flowers have a small swelling behind them like a baby squash. The female flowers require pollen from the male flowers for squash to form. Usually, bees and other insects will do the job for you, but if you don’t have enough natural pollinators in your garden, you can do it yourself. Peel away the petals, then touch the male anther to the female stigma to transfer pollen, as shown in the photo. It is important to use only freshly opened flowers. They open early in the morning and are receptive for only 1 day. 

If the squash grows a few inches and then starts to die, it’s probably because the pollination wasn’t successful.

More information: Fruit Setting Problem in Cucurbits