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Old April 15, 2018   #1
Al@NC
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Default Summer Squash/Zucchini

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
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Old April 15, 2018   #2
Al@NC
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Maybe I'll put tomato cages around them and train the branches up...

Al
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Old April 16, 2018   #3
clkingtx
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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...
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Old April 16, 2018   #4
Nan_PA_6b
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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.

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Old April 16, 2018   #5
Al@NC
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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:
Attached Images
File Type: jpg sqaush cages.jpg (166.9 KB, 262 views)

Last edited by Al@NC; April 16, 2018 at 01:15 AM.
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Old April 16, 2018   #6
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Using cages for squash can help maximize your space and reduces the chance for mold and disease by getting your leaves off the ground!:
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Old April 16, 2018   #7
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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
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Old April 16, 2018   #8
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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.

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Old April 16, 2018   #9
MickyT
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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..
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Old April 16, 2018   #10
AlittleSalt
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I like the cages idea.

Sadly, the thing that grows best under my summer squash are squash bugs.
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Old April 16, 2018   #11
jillian
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlittleSalt View Post
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.
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Old April 17, 2018   #12
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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.
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Old April 17, 2018   #13
Al@NC
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I start squash, okra, pumkins and well... everything from seed and grow lights in cups. Then just transplant everything.

9 weeks ago!? That's crazy!!

Al
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Old April 17, 2018   #14
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I've got my squash in between the tomato plants in my raised beds then in front of the squash I have bush beans growing. So far everything is getting enough light, the tomato plants are already reaching above the squash and the bush beans are reaching out in front, so everyone has their own space to grow.
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Old April 17, 2018   #15
Al@NC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TexasTomat0 View Post
I've got my squash in between the tomato plants in my raised beds then in front of the squash I have bush beans growing. So far everything is getting enough light, the tomato plants are already reaching above the squash and the bush beans are reaching out in front, so everyone has their own space to grow.
Good Point TexasTomat0, beans and other vining crops such as cucumbers can potentially grow pretty close to the squash and do well because they can climb out from the shadows of the squash leaves.

Al
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