Do you prune your squash leaves?

wbayer 7/28/2011, 4:33 pm

I have two squash plants that are growing huge in my square foot garden. I read more on squash plants and some people recommend pruning the leaves. I was wondering if people are doing this, how, and when you should prune?

Thank you!

outsideasy 7/28/2011, 5:15 pm

I take off any yellow or sick looking leaves as far down to the ground as I can reach to keep my zuk crookneck and patti pan looking good and healthy. I don't know if this is pruning but it is what I do.

NHGardener 7/28/2011, 10:02 pm

I've thought about pruning my zucchini trees (that's what they seem like) too.

Next year, they're out of the boxes. They take over. And they seem pretty hardy.

HouseofWool 7/28/2011, 11:55 pm

I haven't prune my zuch yet (except for any yellowed leaves), but I have been pruning back my butternut because it is taking over everything.

happycamper 7/29/2011, 1:39 am

wbayer wrote:I was wondering if people are doing this, how, and when you should prune?
Thank you!

I do prune squash leaves. I use scissors and cut the leaf stem approx. 4 inches from the main stem of the plant. I have seen videos on youtube where people trim them closer to the stalk, you may want to do a search if you are interested.

I trim them when they are shading out the plant in the neighboring square. In addition, the leaves I trim are technically beneath the current fruit that are growing so the plant can provide its own shade to the fruit. (I do not trim the upper leaves).

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