Best Squash Fertilizers: Ratings, Reviews, and Top Picks

If you’re planning to start growing squash in your garden, but aren’t quite sure where to start, a good thing to look into is fertilizer. Fertilizer can make all the difference in your crop yield and quality, so they’re great to have on hand. However, with all of the different products available on the market, it can be very confusing to decide which fertilizer is best for your squash crops.

It’s also extremely important to consider the different factors that go into selecting your fertilizer. While squash is a relatively hardy vegetable, there are different growing stages. Similar to the fertilizer needs of zucchini, squash does require slightly nutrient needs at each stage of growth.

To match a plant’s growing needs, many fertilizers can be used at different stages of the growing process. Some will be used before planting, and others will be used during the fruiting and blooming cycles. You can opt to use more than one kind of fertilizer to boost growth or choose an all-in-one fertilizer to be used anytime to maximize convenience. Before we get into our top picks, let’s consider the different factors that go into choosing the best fertilizer, so you know what to expect when picking one out.

At A Glance: Top Squash Fertilizers

Organic Fertilizer

Organic fertilizers are different from traditional fertilizers in that they do not contain chemicals or phosphorus. You will normally find these ingredients in other fertilizers and growth boosters available on the market.

Instead, organic fertilizers are made from organic compounds, making it easy for your plants to absorb the nutrients. These fertilizers are a great choice for many as they are safe to use and highly effective. The caveat is that growth may not be as efficient as it would be with non-organic fertilizers that you may find from other brands.

It’s also worth mentioning that non-organic fertilizer that advertises the highest yields for squash may require more than one type of fertilizer. They may also have more specific methods of use as well as needing to be used at a certain time.

Organic fertilizers, on the other hand, are often much easier to use since they do not require as much work. Not only that, but organic fertilizers tend to be more affordable than others. This is a great option for people who do not want to toil away laboriously in their garden. It

is also good for people who are environmentally conscious and would not like to contaminate the local wildlife habitats and water sources. When using organic fertilizer, it is a good idea to use organic vegetable mulch before planting. Squash is one of the easier veggies to grow organically, so these types of fertilizer can suit your garden well.

Non-Organic Fertilizer

Non-organic fertilizer is typically seen as the more traditional fertilizer, having been used in gardens and farms for generations with much success. However, understand that there is always a risk in using these fertilizers. They can be less healthy to the user, children, animals, and the environment.

The plus side is that when used correctly, non-organic fertilizers can give you a massive yield. These fertilizers are also much more accessible than organic fertilizers making them easier to find and purchase. Typically, non-organic fertilizers are better used for flowering plants, to gain massive blooms. We’d recommend steering clear of using them on any plant that you intend to consume.

While some non-organic fertilizers can be quite cost-effective, note that buying certain types meant to be used in a specific way can often add up to the cost. These fertilizers can come in many different forms, such as liquids, granules, powders, pellets, and spikes. It’s important to do your research and think about the strategy you would like to employ to see what your garden needs. It’s also an option to use a non-organic all-in-one fertilizer to simplify the process.

Price

Of course, when choosing any kind of product, the price and your budget must always be taken into consideration. While organic fertilizers tend to be cheaper, you’ll find that both types can have prices that vary all across the board.

If you would like to save money, choosing granules or powders may give you more bang for your buck. These kinds of fertilizers are mixed into the soil and are applied every few months instead of weekly. While this often does not produce results that are as dramatic as more expensive fertilizers, you will still be able to get a good yield while keeping the cost low.

Safety

The most important concern when choosing a fertilizer is the product’s safety. If you have children and/or pets, organic fertilizers may be the best way to go, as this can keep your family from harm. It is certainly easy for kids and pets to come into your garden. As such, it will also be easy for them to expose themselves to the harmful chemicals found in non-organic fertilizers.

Since safety is paramount, when handling any kind of fertilizer, you will need the right tools and gloves to measure, mix, and apply your fertilizer. Storage is also an important concern, because you will need to store your fertilizer in a place away from heat, light, and away from others. Any animals that may roam the area can also come into contact with the fertilizer; you should create a barrier to prevent them from doing so.

Since there is a lot to keep in mind with regard to safety and risks involved with non-organic fertilizers, you may find it a good idea to simply choose organic fertilizers instead. These are often fine to use in most gardens and containers. When working with hydroponic gardens, it may be a good idea to look into special liquid fertilizers– both organic and non-organic.

Top Fertilizers For Squash

Since we have gone over what goes into a good fertilizer, it is now time to look at our top picks for the best squash fertilizers out there. We have chosen our favorites based on what you may need from them. Most of our picks are great options for growing squash in most climates. Let’s get into the list of the 10 best fertilizers for squash.

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Jobe’s Organics fertilizer is one of our favorite fertilizer brands here on All About Gardening, and it’s not hard to see why. This organic formula is ideal for your vegetable garden and will produce a good yield, so get excited for harvest season! Since this product is organic, you don’t have to worry about kids or pets getting into your garden, nor do you need to feel bad about potentially contaminating the water supply.

This product also contains the Jobe Biozome, which is a proprietary microorganism archaea that decomposes the soil quickly to give your plant lots of great nutrients. This improves your plants’ resistance to disease due to the good soil quality, keeping them strong against insects and drought, too!

This is a 2-5-3 formulation. Mix the granules into the soil before planting. To fertilize established plants, you should feed them at dripline– the furthest edge of branch spread. This fertilizer is perfect for edibles and is sure to give you plenty of tasty squash at harvest.

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We are starting our list off with a more cost-effective option, namely MasterBlend Vegetable Fertilizer. This is available in a number of sizes so you can choose which one is best for you and your crops. These sizes are 1 pound, 5 pound, and 25 pound bags. This product mixes easily with water.

When applied, it gives just the right amount of balanced nutrients to your plants, which is especially great for squash crops. This is a 4-18-38 formulation that will do perfectly well in many different kinds of gardens, whether in beds, containers, or even for hydroponic uses.

This fertilizer will produce more squash crops and leaves, though bear in mind that this is not an organic formulation. You must follow the package directions to ensure best results. This particular blend can be used throughout your plant’s life cycle, so you don’t need to worry about timing it too much. To use, dilute the solution and spray onto your plants. This is a great value fertilizer that is easy to apply and will do much of the work for you.

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Miracle-Gro Nature’s Care fertilizer is a great, calcium-packed fertilizer that’s sure to give your squash crops a great yield. It is an all-natural, organic fertilizer, making it a good choice if you have kids or pets; plus, it’s great for the environment too! This particular formula can feed your plants for up to two months, giving you ample time between re-applications. Added calcium ensures that you get a good, bountiful harvest so you get lots of great quality squash.

To use, you should mix this fertilizer into the soil before planting. You can also choose to sprinkle on top of the soil and work it in gently. Feeding your crops upon planting will give them a great chance to grow healthy, strong, and give you a plentiful harvest.

Best results come from re-applying the fertilizer once every 6 weeks. The NPK for this fertilizer is 7-6-9. Since this is an organic fertilizer, do not expect very dramatic results. You should take your time with it and know that a good yield is coming, with the right amount of care.

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Osmocote Flower & Vegetable Plant Food is a great, all-around fertilizer that will not just be great for your squash crops, but for any flowering plants you may have too! This formula encourages strong roots and lively top growth. It will feed for up to 4 full months, so there is a lot of time between re-applications. This is good if you don’t want to be toiling away in your garden constantly. The NPK for this product is 14-14-14, so it’s bound to grow lots of flavorful vegetables you are sure to enjoy.

One interesting thing about this fertilizer is the unique resin coating around the individual granules. These react even at fairly cold soil temperatures, giving your perennials an early boost in nutrients, to get them started up for the year nicely.

The nutrients are released over the course of the temperature changes. To use, simply sprinkle the granules onto the soil, mix well, water regularly, and re-apply every 4 months. This is a simple process that even beginner gardeners can do, which is something we like about this product.

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Burpee has created this spectacular bone meal fertilizer. Bone meal is an excellent source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium– all essential in helping your squash plants grow to their best potential. This fertilizer gives your plant a stronger root system, more beautiful blooms, and tastier vegetables.

This product is best given to your plants as early as possible to give them the boost they need through the growing season. Treating your plants with this fertilizer will give them the phosphorus needed for a strong root system, enhance the early stages of growth, and give you lots of vibrant blooms and delicious vegetables come harvest.

This product will not burn plants, as the bone meal takes a long time to break down, gradually releasing the nitrogen your squash plants need to thrive. You can use this on raised beds, containers, and for either growing or established plants. You’re bound to find some good use out of this product. This fertilizer has a fine granular consistency, making it easy to spread among your plants and mix into soil.

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Sustane fertilizer contains all the essential nutrients your plants need to grow and thrive. This promotes fruiting and flowering, increases your squash crop yield, and encourages good root growth. The product creates a good soil environment for microbial biodiversity, allowing those decomposers to give your plants the nutrients necessary to thrive.

The NPK of this product is 4-6-4. It is all-natural and organic, making it safe to use even for families that have kids or pets. This product is best added to soil for general preparation, but it also makes a great base for healthy, abundant plants. It is good to reapply this fertilizer once every 5 weeks for best results.

Sustane fertilizer is compost-based, making it a great choice for plants that need extra rich and fertile soil. Your squash crops will be eating excellently, so that they’ll be extra-delicious by the time harvest rolls around! Simply mix the pellets into potting soil and allow it to do its magic.

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Another excellent product from Miracle-Gro is their water soluble, all purpose plant food. This food will instantly feed your plants for the quickest and most impressive results. It is full of all the nutrients necessary for your squash crops to thrive.

One drawback to this product is that it must be used every 1 to 2 weeks for the best results, which can make it a bit labor-intensive. This must be done during the growing period.

However, being that it is all-purpose, you can use it just about anywhere in your garden and see a better yield of blooms, fruits, and vegetables. It is also safe to use for plants, as it will not burn them provided that the instructions are followed. Since this is a liquid fertilizer, simply attach a hose to the bottle, or use it in any watering can. Soak the base of the plants and really allow the product to permeate. This is a 24-8-16 product.

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EcoScraps has created this great formula made for use in organic gardening. This is great for your squash crops, but also for other vegetables, and tomatoes too! Regardless of what kind of edible gardening you are doing, you’re bound to be pleasantly surprised by the quality of this product. It is easy to use, being an all-in-one particle. This makes it simple to apply. You can also rest assured that each particle contains the full guaranteed analysis, so that your crops get a uniform feeding.

This product contains leftovers from all parts of the food life cycle, making it a great, sustainable product. You can use this product for new plants, established plants, as well as potted plants. 

Since it’s organic, you can rest easy knowing that no one at home will be in danger should they come into contact with this product. However, one common comment about this product is that dogs love the smell of it, so watch out if you have any canine furry friends! You wouldn’t want them digging up your beds, after all!

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This organic and natural fertilizer from Dr. Earth is a great product to use for your squash crops. It promotes strong root development and creates a great, bountiful, nutritious yield at harvest time. This product reassures us that it contains no GMOs, chicken manure, or sewage sludge. It’s always a plus to know that your plant is eating fertilizer made with pure ingredients!

This product contains optimum levels of the primary plant nutrients; it is a 4-6-3 formula. It also contains probiotics, ensuring good soil health and fertility. Expect abundance when the crops are ready for harvest! Since this product is organic, you can use it without worry of posing danger to your family or the environment.

Application is easy too, since it feeds your plants for several months. Not constantly re-applying is always a plus in our book! Since this product is made sustainably, you can use it without any stress or guilt.

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The last fertilizer on our list is the cost-effective Espoma Garden-Tone. This is an organic fertilizer that makes gardening safe, easy, and rewarding. You’re bound to see a more abundant yield at harvest time. It works well for both cool and warm season growth and harvesting.

This product is made with all natural, organic ingredients without fillers or sludge. The feeding is long lasting and slow-release, giving you a lot of time between re-applications. You can mix this product into the soil prior to planting, or 7-10 days after planting seedlings and transplants.

For established crops, the directions say to apply throughout May through August, feeding them once a month. This formula encourages growth that is steady and stable, and you will most definitely see a difference after using it for some time. This fertilizer is a great option if you’re looking for something that is not just effective, but is safe, hassle-free, and cost-effective.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right kind of fertilizer for you can be daunting, because of all of the different products available on the market. However, understanding the needs of your garden squash and doing your research can really make all the difference.

You should begin by deciding whether you need an organic fertilizer, or something more traditional. After this, look into the soil requirements of where you live. If you use potting soil in your garden, check the bag to learn what the requirements are. This should list the nutrient balance necessary to have a good harvest. This can make a lot of difference in which product you choose.

We hope this article has given you insight into how to choose a good fertilizer for your squash crops this upcoming harvest. Understanding what you need from fertilizer can really make all the difference in your yield and crop quality. Have a favorite that you think we missed? Drop us a line in the comments section!