| 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. |
| 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. |
