This project was funded by a Farmer / Rancher grant from the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, Project Number, FW06-042

Harvest Frequency, Yield, and Economics of Summer Squash

Table of Contents

Summary 
Objectives
Methods and Materials 
Results
    Weight of harvested squash changed over time 
    Harvesting larger squash yielded ~3 times more by weight
    Harvesting mini squash yielded 2 -3 times more squash numbers.
    Time Budget
    Squash Sales  
    Price per pound was greater for mini squash
    Customers Survey   
    Producer Survey  
    Enterprise Budget 
    What changes will result in a profit?  
My results compared with published research results  
Observations and Recommendations  
Acknowledgements 
Contact Information 

Download a pdf of this report.
Download a pdf of the enterprise budget report.

Summary

  During the 2006 growing season in the Treasure Valley of Southwest Idaho I harvested four summer squash varieties either daily at a small size, or every 2-3 days at a larger size.  Squash harvested at the larger size yielded about 3 times more by weight than squash harvested when small, but the plants produced 2-3 times as many squash fruits when I harvested more frequently at a small size.  Both squash sizes sold well at the Nampa & Caldwell, Idaho Farmers’ Markets, with less small squash than large squash left unsold at the end of market day most weeks. Large patty pan squash were the least popular. Customers preferred to buy squash by numbers rather than weight, even though they paid a premium price: Small squash when sold at 5-8 for $1 brought in up to $2.97 per pound and were more profitable than large squash.  Bottom line:  the extra effort to grow baby squash was justified.  This study suggests that squash growers on small acreage should consider increased production of baby summer squash.  Tasting and sale of grilled squash at farmers’ markets can also be considered to increase profits.

Objectives  

The goal of this study was to determine how harvest frequency and harvest size affect the yield and marketability of fruits produced by summer squash plants, Cucurbita pepo.  In particular, I compared the yields from harvesting squash daily at a small size for mini squash vs. every 2-3 days at a larger size.  I wondered if harvesting mini squash is worth the extra effort, and if it can be profitable for a small market gardener.  Therefore the study also included a customer survey at two Farmers’ Markets, a vendor survey and development of an enterprise budget for squash production aimed at market gardeners and small farmers.

This squash experiment got off to a late start in summer 2006 because of a family emergency in June, but I was able to accomplish much of what I set out to do.

I used four summer squash varieties: two zucchini (green: Cash Flow from Johnny’s Selected Seeds, yellow: Butterstick from Territorial Seed Company) and two patty pans (green: Starship from Territorial Seed Company and yellow: Sunburst from Territorial Seed Company).  A total of 40 equally spaced hills were created in a sprinkler irrigated (K2 Smart Set gear drive sprinkler heads) garden plot.  Two gallons of commercial composted steer manure were added to each hill before planting. 

       Methods and Materials 

The hills were arranged in 5 rows of 8 – 9 hills.  Each hill was planted with 5 seeds of the same variety and thinned to 3 plants while the plants were young.   I planted the hills on July 11 and 12.  Each hill was assigned a number.  When the plants started blooming, flags were placed in each hill identifying the hill number and variety.  Yellow flags marked hills that were harvested daily.  Orange flags indicated harvests every 2 or 3 days.  

I labeled brown paper shopping bags with the hill number, variety, and harvest frequency of each hill, and used the bags to harvest the squash throughout the season.  The squash were weighed individually after harvest each day.

I obtained temperature and degree day (base 50°F) data for the UI Parma Research and Extension Center (about 3 miles from my squash plot) from the Agrimet (U.S. Dept. of Interior The Pacific Northwest Cooperative Agricultural Weather Network) web site.