Summer Squash/Zucchini

[Al@NC]

Hi Guys,
I'm getting really excited about the forthcoming season and garden space is a premium (as always). And so I have to grow at least 2 Summer Squash plants and 1-2 Zucchini's. I hate all of the garden space that the leaves of the squash's take up and I'm wondering if others grow anything under their squash leaves? I was thinking of putting carrots or something under there...

At the same time I'm tempted on trying to grow my squash in 5 gallon buckets instead and utilizing the garden space for something else...

Any thoughts? What if anything do you guys grow under your squash leaves?

I'm trying a new Dwarf Summer Squash from Victory Seed this year but I know the leaves still get big..

Or, I can prune some leaves at the cost of production or try to train the branches to grow upright more?

Just brainstorming here, all of this may sound crazy!

Al