Question
My acorn squash and cantaloupe are blooming profusely but set very few fruit despite plentiful bumblebees etc.  Same with bell peppers which now have stopped blooming.  Tomatoes are doing fine.  How do I get the squash and cantaloupe to set? Thanks for any suggestions

Answer
Although pollination is usually the primary reason plants drop their blooms, the other main cause is inclimate weather conditions, including heat and drought.

Although most gardeners will attempt to supplement the watering manually, they usually water too shallow causing the roots to reach for the soil.  This stress prevents the roots from absorbing needed nutrients, specifically phosphorus and magnesium, which results in little or no fruiting.

The best advice I can give you is to purchase a soaker hose.  These hoses have thousands of holes and are laid between the rows of the plants.  The advantage of these is that they soak the soil at the base of the plants.  After 20 minutes, you have added 1.5" of water to the soil.  The plants will then reach down into the subsoil for nutrients.

I would also recommend supplementing your soil with as many organic amendments as possible.  Thes would include peat moss, compost, aged manure, dried grass clippings, and shredded leaves.  Till these in this fall and you will have a soil rich in nutrients next spring.

Finally, mulch the plants liberally with straw or shredded leaves to retain moisture.  And avoid fertilizing during extreme hot periods to avoid stressing the roots and foliage.

I hope this answered your question.  Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike