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

[Al@NC]

Maybe I'll put tomato cages around them and train the branches up...

Al

[clkingtx]

Those are really cool ideas, I will be very interested to see if you are able to grow something under them! I might have to give it a try as well, but my problem is finding something that will stay small enough and do well in such low light, that will tolerate our hot summer temps(we usually get above 100 most days in the summer). I'll have to think on that...

[Nan_PA_6b]

I can't tell from the blurb how big the plant is for that squash. You might want to go with the squash that has the smallest footprint. BUCKINGHAM PATIO Zucchini Squash is about 2' diameter. It's on this page:
https://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.c...ash-seeds.html

Then you don't need to underplant.

Nan

[Al@NC]

Nan, I like the way that zucchini looks! Maybe going dwarf and getting smallest footprints along with cages will work wonders...

2x4 or 4x4 I still want to save space because I'm growing in 4'x8' beds this year. Well I searched and found this link to someone who is using tomato cages and training their Summer Squash limbs upwards!

https://growagoodlife.com/growing-su...sh-vertically/

There's a good video there that shows it and here's a picture:

[Al@NC]

Using cages for squash can help maximize your space and reduces the chance for mold and disease by getting your leaves off the ground!:

[Al@NC]

I was thinking about growing something like carrots or something that doesn't mind the shade but by using cages I may not have to worry about shade loving plants...

Al

[GoDawgs]

Last spring I planted summer squash in the middle of a 4' wide bed where there were carrots growing down the sides. But the carrots were sown Feb 14 and the squash weren't sown until early April. Unusually early for me to plant squash but it was an unusually warm winter and spring so I took a chance. By the time the squash were big enough to bother the carrots I was pulling carrots.

I just planted summer squash in a bed that has young scallions down one side and fall planted scallions going to seed (for collection) on the other side. I don't think there will be any conflict there.

Summer Squash in tomato cages.... now that's an interesting thought! Thanks for posting that. I might have to try that with one of them.

[Al@NC]

Last spring I planted summer squash in the middle of a 4' wide bed where there were carrots growing down the sides. But the carrots were sown Feb 14 and the squash weren't sown until early April. Unusually early for me to plant squash but it was an unusually warm winter and spring so I took a chance. By the time the squash were big enough to bother the carrots I was pulling carrots.

I just planted summer squash in a bed that has young scallions down one side and fall planted scallions going to seed (for collection) on the other side. I don't think there will be any conflict there.

Thanks! That's good to know...

Summer Squash in tomato cages.... now that's an interesting thought! Thanks for posting that. I might have to try that with one of them.

I'm just trying to think outside the box, and then when I googled it there were already others doing it. I'm going to grow 2 Summer and 2 Zuc's this year this way and see how it works out...

Al

[GoDawgs]

Originally Posted by Al@NC

I'm just trying to think outside the box, and then when I googled it there were already others doing it. I'm going to grow 2 Summer and 2 Zuc's this year this way and see how it works out...

Oops! I erred in my planting scheme description. The squash were planted in a bed where there are turnips planted down both sides! Again the theory is that the turnips will be gone before being covered by squash leaves.

It's cucumbers that are planted down the middle of the scallion bed. Hmmmm, we'll see how THAT works out!
While I was puttering in the radishes yesterday, I wondered if you could put those in with the squash. They mature quickly and later sowings might just enjoy a bit of shade from big squash leaves. Just a thought.

[Nan_PA_6b]

I don't find there's a lot of space under a zucchini plant, as the big stems, fruit, & leaves take up the room. We inadvertently grew carrots under zucchini two years ago; the carrot trench was too close to the zucchini. The carrots didn't fare well; I think they wanted more light.

Nan

[MickyT]

I usually plant them on the side of the beds and let them grow out of the bed and into the lawn. Will also try some in grow bags this year..

[AlittleSalt]

I like the cages idea.

Sadly, the thing that grows best under my summer squash are squash bugs.

[jillian]

Originally Posted by AlittleSalt

I like the cages idea.

Sadly, the thing that grows best under my summer squash are squash bugs.

. I hear you!

No more trying to grow summer squash for me. I will however be growing winter butternut squash. Hopefully the SVB leave these alone, that's what I have read anyway. We'll see.

[Gardeneer]

Talking about CUCURBITS.
I sow the seeds directly and let them grow on their own terme.
I have sown melons, watermelon, cukes WEEKS AG9. Now they are just popping. Only cot leaves so fa4. But with the soil and air getting warme , the6 should take off soon.
WHAT I HAVE :
Cucumbers, 2 varieties.
Persian Honey Dew
Summer Squasy
Pumpkin
Watermelon, Sugar Baby.
Around here melons family do real well.. We have a Wate4melon Festival, each year. Last year i had a good crop of wate4melons, sweet and juicy. My Honey Dew Melons were just like honey, very sweet.
Ok. I will come back here to report later.