How to prune squash plants – an experienced grower explains why this 1 underrated task can make a big difference

A green squash fruit developing on the vine alongside a yellow squash flower.

In reality, most growers don’t prune squash plants. One of the reasons squashes and pumpkins are so popular is that their sprawling habits make them low-maintenance. You do not need to definitely prune squash plants, though you may be tempted to going forward after I reveal the benefits.

This is because trimming squash plants in summer keeps plants healthy and focuses the energy on developing better fruits. As a grower who has seen squash regularly succumb to powdery mildew and picked a mix of large fruits and smaller unripened ones come the end of the season, these are two situations that can be improved by pruning.