• Each gardener will have two plots. One will be sprayed with Surround Crop Protectant and the other will not be sprayed.
• Feel free to add compost, manure or a start-up fertilizer to the soil prior to planting.
• Apply straw or other suitable mulch to keep plots free of weeds.
• Insect numbers will be monitored on a regular basis and yield will be recorded.
• Do not use any pesticide on the squash plants.
• Irrigate so plants get a minimum of 1 inch of water each week. Do not use overhead irrigation.
• Continue to record the observations even though you think the experiment may have failed.

Time Line:

Planting

• Plant two 9ft rows of Black Jack squash on or before May 20 separated by at least 15ft.
• Plant 3 groups of 3 seeds 3 feet apart in each plot (See figure below).
  
  
  
  
• After emergence, thin each group to one plant (Week 2). You will then have 3 plants 3 feet apart in each plot (See figure below).
  
  

Applying Surround Crop Protectant

• Randomly choose the treatment for each plot. Toss a coin to determine which plot will be sprayed and which will not be sprayed.
• Once a week, apply Surround Crop Protectant to only dry foliage! Try to apply the Surround on the same day each week.
• Mix thoroughly ¼ Lb (1 ½ cup) of Surround Crop Protectant with 2 liters of water.
  o Mixing Tips: Use a funnel to pour the Surround in a 2 liter bottle of soda. Mix the Surround powder with half of the water until completely diluted. Then, fill up the bottle.
  o Pour the mixture in a garden sprayer. The Surround settles rapidly so shake the sprayer frequently while spraying the mixture.
• Spray the three squash plants. Make sure that the foliage, stems, flowers and fruits are completely covered with the white solution. (When you wash your squash, the Surround Crop Protectant will be washed away).
• Make sure that the foliage has kept its white appearance throughout the week. If it rains heavily during that one-week period, re-apply Surround. Keep track of the dates you spray the plants.

Information to be Collected during Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14:

• At week 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, count and record the number of cucumber beetles and squash bugs you see. Note the presence or absence of vine borer holes. See ACORN Alternative Control Guide for pictures of those insect pests: <http://entm29.entm.purdue.edu/acorn/acornsearch.aspx>.
• Make insect counts at about the same time of day.
  o First, quickly count the number of cucumber beetles (they often hide in flowers).
  o Second, count the number of squash bugs.
  o Third, look for vine borer holes. You should not spend more than 3 minutes per plant.
• Record insect counts every two weeks for the both plots (follow the schedule listed above).
• Record the date the first flower appears in both plots.
• Record yield per plant. Harvest and count all the fruits that are 6 inches (the length of a dollar bill) or greater at least twice a week. Record the total you harvested all week (7-day interval) long. Harvest every week up to week 14 after planting.