DATE:   8/20/98     
WRITER: Paul Thompson, Extension agent in Berkeley County, 
        (843) 719-4140

Growing and Eating Summer Squash

     Most of us who had a spring vegetable garden are beginning
to notice many of our vegetables are beginning to fade away.
Among these is our summer squash, primarily zucchini and yellow
squash.
     Our summer squash are vegetables that are usually a mainstay
in home vegetable gardens. They grow like gangbusters in the
spring, and are usually one of the first vegetables that we
harvest when summer arrives. The only problem with this crop is
that it normally produces a large harvest in a short amount of
time and, if your household is anything like mine, the family is
sick of squash by the time August rolls around. 
     Squash are interesting plants. Close relatives to melons,
pumpkins, cucumbers, and gourds, squash plants produce male and
female flowers on the same plant. The female flower has a tiny
squash-like part at its base. The male flower contains only the
stamens which carry the pollen and does not have the swollen area
at its base.
     Because the male and female flowers are separate, the squash
is heavily dependent on insects, primarily honeybees and 
bumblebees, for pollination and, consequently, fruit formation to
occur. Many times calls come into the office from home gardeners
who complain that their squash are loaded with blooms, but no
fruit are developing.
     Usually one of two things is not happening. If it is cloudy,
or if insecticides are being misused, the bee activity may be
absent, so the female flower is not being pollinated. The other
thing may be that the flowers present are mostly male flowers,
which of course will produce no fruit. If no fruit is being
produced, look at these possibilities and take action.
      Bees are most active on bright sunny days. They actually
navigate by the sun. They are usually the most active early in
the morning and later in the afternoon. Do not spray insecticides
during these periods.
     If there are no bees, it may be that you might have to be a
bee for a while and take a small paint brush and transfer pollen
from the male flowers to the female flowers.
     If the lack of bees is not the problem, then look at the
flowers to see if any are female. Many times squash plants will
produce an overabundance of male flowers early in the season.
This problem will eventually work itself out.
     If you like squash and can find plenty of ways to eat them
or preserve them for later use, then it is time again to
establish new plants for a fall crop.
     For those of you who have run out of ideas for squash, this
recipe of my mother's may help. It's delicious.
Ingredients:
     6 medium yellow squash
     1 medium onion - chopped
     2 slices of bread - crumbled
     1/2 cup  ham - chopped
     2 Tbsp. capers - chopped
     salt & pepper
Directions:
     Wash squash and cut off stem and bud ends. Put whole squash
in a pot and cover with water. Boil squash until just tender.
Remove from heat and let cool.
     Cut squash in half lengthwise. Using a grapefruit spoon,
scoop out the centers of the squash halves, leaving one quarter
inch of rind.
     Mix scooped squash and remaining ingredients in a bowl and
then stuff the squash rinds with the mixture. Place stuffed
squash on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serve
hot.
     Feel free to add or substitute other ingredients for the
stuffing. The squash halves can also be topped with grated
cheese. Bon appetit!
               *********************************
     If you have gardening questions or comments, write to
Agricultural News and Publications, A-101 Poole Agricultural
Center, Box 340311, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29634-0311.
You might also check other "Buds" columns under 1998 News
Releases at: http://virtual.clemson.edu/groups/agcomm/ .
                              END