Season-long Row Covers for Squash ePLUS Collaborating Farms
OBJECTIVE
OSU Extension
Investigate and demonstrate the applicability of management tactics of using season-long row covers in winter squash production.
Morrow County
WEATHER INFORMATION STUDY INFORMATION Planting Date 07/03/2024 Harvest Date(s) 09/2024 – 10/2024 Varieties 6 Management Organic System Plasticulture, irrigation – drip tape, row covers Study type Single Replicate Part of larger Yes replicated study? Treatments 3 Size of trial 3,000 sq. ft. Soil type Canfield silt loam
STUDY DESIGN
There were 3 growing beds that received three different 50’ long treatments. One treatment was covered with high hoops and a woven mesh floating row cover, the second treatment was covered with low hoops and traditional Remay cover and the third treatment wasn’t covered. The covered rows had sand bags and old drip tape holding down the row cover.
Growing Season Weather Summary APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
Total
Precip (in.)
2.91
3.37
2.21
1.07
1.83
2.03
13.42
Cumulative GDDs
228
711
1351
2044
2688
3231
3231
Fifty native cucurbit bees, Peponapis pruinosa, were caught in a neighboring pumpkin field and 25 were and released under each row cover treatment to pollinate the squash plants. The purpose of the row cover was to keep squash bugs and cucumber beetles away from the plants without using pesticides. All marketable fruit were harvested for commercial sales.
76 | Ohio State Digital Ag Program
Row covers were supported by metal hoops and Teff grass was planted between rows as a weed suppressing cover.