How to Grow Squash Without Irrigation in an Arid Environment

Squash is one of the 3 sisters (Corn Squash and Beans) used in native planting practices. Our favorites varieties are Kabocha and Buttercup since both of these are not stringy and have a smooth sweet creamy flesh. Summer squash varieties like Zuchini, Yellow Crooken Neck, and Patty Pan (scallop) are also delicious and very productive. These varieties of squash require a considerable amount of water and wilt on hottest days of summer. Hopi Grey Squash is grown in Arizona without irrigation.

Hopi Grey Squash 2025

Hopi Grey Squash 2025

Hopi Grey Squash 2025

In Spring of 2025 an area of Field 2 did not grow well and we replanted the mostly empty area with corn, sorghum, and 4 hills (2 plants each) of Hopi Grey Squash. Hopi Grey Squash seeds were soaked and planted by digging down to moist soil (about 4 - 5 inches) making a 8 inch wide depression and then covering with 1 - 2 inches of moist soil. This created 2 - 3 inch deep depressions which were not watered after planting. These are more like bowls rather than "hills". One hill of squash was lost due to animal damage, but 3 hills with 2 plants each are doing well. To conserve moisture the surrounding soil was filled in around the plants as they got bigger, leveling out the soil.

Hopi Grey Squash/ June 23 2025

Hopi Grey Squash / June 23 2025

Hopi Grey Squash / June 23 2025

The squash are getting bigger. The pictures above were taken the morning after a brief but heavy thunder shower, the leaves are dirty and the soil settled.