Beans and peas, for example, can benefit from pruning, but don't need as much. 3158 Views Save Print Email. The largest squashes such as Hubbards, Calabazas and pumpkins, due to their size and weight are best left to grow on the ground. of squash . I am a first-time-gardener :) Plant four to six seeds 1/2 inch deep and 2 to 3 inches from the pot’s edge. July 3, 2020 / Mindy / 0 Comments. But others can benefit from an occasional pruning as well. A butternut squash plant spreading across the ground. While the plants are young, water them directly, not through the pot, and thin to the strongest two or three plants. The decision to prune your squash vines is entirely your own. Not every squash can be trellised. For example, thinning squash leaves can help prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew. And pinching off flowers can help a pepper plant focus its energy on existing fruits. 3. We all love squash, and most get a little over zealous about planting them every spring. For me, these are the fruit and vegetables that benefit from pruning the most. There's no need to prune … After a week or two, the seeds will germinate. Step 1 Wait for your squash plant to develop flowers and set fruit. Prune Your Squash. Pruning the plant once you have several baby squash growing won't affect this amount and will free up garden space for other crops. Pruning Squash Plants. For these plants you want a single runner. Episode 3: How to Pollinate Squash. Winter squash plants like butternut produce an average of 20 lbs. Additionally, many believe that pruning will cause the plant to focus all of its energy on the remaining fruit—thus growing bigger squash. How to prune vining plants. Thinning Other Plants. How to Prune Pattypan Squash Plants. How do I prune them, and also what do I do about broken or bent stems? If pruned, you can allow for the desired space you want for the plant. Vining plants are those that grow their fruit from a main vine; examples are cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, and squash. It’s recommended that you prune your squash plants when they approach maturity, about six to eight weeks into the growing season. My square foot garden is overflowing with the squash and zucchini. Tomatoes, basil and flowers are the plants you’ll need to prune most often. Pattypan squash (Cucurbita pepo "Pattypan") does not require pruning to grow, but many gardeners prune pattypan and other summer squashes to control vine growth. Tweet. Before you know it your need hills of squash are a knotty mass of giant leaves and vines.