Hybrid Summer Squash Out-Performs Open Pollinated Varieties

I prefer to grow open pollinated/heirloom varieties of plants. (I get a thrill out of saving seeds). However, here in east Texas, the growing conditions are harsh during the summer. As a result, the past few years gardening has not been as productive as I would like. (And this includes fresh seeds from seed sellers).  Last fall, after talking with a road side vegetable vendor, I decided to go hybrid this season. The vendor recommended Twilley Seed of North Carolina. I purchased all of my tomato, summer and winter squash and melon seeds from them (plus other seeds also).

The last 2 growing summer seasons were a total disaster for my yellow summer squash. This was due to a wide variety of issues from armadillos to squash vine borers to the drought. Also, my heirloom yellow summer squash just didn’t ever seem to produce well. This, along with me watching those volunteer cantaloupe grow very strong and well in the garden – they had to be hybrid and although they were the seeds of hybrids, they grew exceptionally well and strong.  I figured that real h1 hybrid seeds should do exceptionally well.

I planted 2 varieties of hybrid zucchini: 8 Ball and Obsidian. I planted 2 varieties of yellow crook neck squash: Sunglo and Horn of Plenty. While it is quite obvious to tell the 2 zukes apart, I can’t tell the 2 yellows apart.

I am so utterly amazed and thrilled with how totally prolific these hybrids are. I never had this many baby fruit on my open pollinated squash. This yellow squash has 6 babies, in various stages of development.

This zucchini is Obsidian. It has one ready to harvest zuch with buds for more.

This beauty is an 8-Ball zucchini.

You will notice the leaf mulch I use. I have to mulch because otherwise the soil would dry out in a day. It is so hot and dry here. Also, the white powder you see around is diacatamous earth. It’s main purpose is get rid of the excessive number of pill bugs (which DO eat and destroy seedlings) and hopefully damage squash vine borers and their offspring.

This is my very first zucchini harvest of 2012:  (The 8 Balls are coming in at just a few ounces over a pound.  The Obsisian is just over half a pound.

If I can fight off the squash vine borers and am allowed to water my garden, it should finally be a good squash year. Lord Willing!