No-Maintenance Squash Trial - 3-Year Development Plan

Purpose

Test squash production in scattered pits with low input and minimum intervention.

Year 1

• establish scattered squash pits;
• record planting conditions;
• track watering and labor;
• observe survival and yield;
• document storage quality.

Year 2

• repeat only successful pit designs;
• compare locations;
• reduce unnecessary intervention;
• improve mulch and soil cover around pits.

Year 3

• define a repeatable low-input squash method;
• identify best locations and pit designs;
• update Crop Matrix and Plant Profiles from field results.