Horticultural Alternatives for Texas Agriculture

Vine Crops - Squash

Estimated Cost $800 to $1500 per acre

Market Outlets Wholesale, grocery store, farmers markets, roadside, pick-your-own

Market Potential Moderate; seasonal peaks; very competitive at times

Yield Potential 400- 600 25lb bu/ac

Profit Potential $0 to $1,000 per acre

Adapted Areas Statewide

Labor Requirements 1 to 2 man-days per acre during harvest

Equipment Requirements Tractor, shredder, disk, bedder, planter, insect/disease sprayer, trailer and irrigation system

Soil Requirements Sandy to medium textured soil with good drainage

Water Requirements 15 to 20 inches water per acre during season

Minimum Size 1 to 5 acres

Risk Factor Moderate to high

Other Limiting Factors Viruses are major limiting factor, especially for fall and summer production. Must have honey bees for pollination. Requires daily harvest to maintain quality. Fruit easily bruises.

Additional Information

Comments Wholesale costs range from 20 to 30 percent for growing and 70 to 80 percent of costs for harvesting, grading, labor and transportation. (Direct-to-consumer sales have a volume limit but return more per unit to producer.) Squash has a fall season in most areas of Texas.

Alternatives Index

Estimated Cost	$800 to $1500 per acre
Market Outlets	Wholesale, grocery store, farmers markets, roadside, pick-your-own
Market Potential	Moderate; seasonal peaks; very competitive at times
Yield Potential	400- 600 25lb bu/ac
Profit Potential	$0 to $1,000 per acre
Adapted Areas	Statewide
Labor Requirements	1 to 2 man-days per acre during harvest
Equipment Requirements	Tractor, shredder, disk, bedder, planter, insect/disease sprayer, trailer and irrigation system
Soil Requirements	Sandy to medium textured soil with good drainage
Water Requirements	15 to 20 inches water per acre during season
Minimum Size	1 to 5 acres
Risk Factor	Moderate to high
Other Limiting Factors	Viruses are major limiting factor, especially for fall and summer production. Must have honey bees for pollination. Requires daily harvest to maintain quality. Fruit easily bruises.
Additional Information
Comments	Wholesale costs range from 20 to 30 percent for growing and 70 to 80 percent of costs for harvesting, grading, labor and transportation. (Direct-to-consumer sales have a volume limit but return more per unit to producer.) Squash has a fall season in most areas of Texas.