Grow Squash Vertically:
4 Reasons Why & 3 Ways How
To grow squash is a very rewarding endeavor. Whether growing summer squash and zuchini or winter squashes, you’ll find they can have abundandt yields. There are specific challenges that come with this family of produce. The good news is you can mitigate several of those challenges with one growing technique: vertical gardening.
1. WHY grow squash vertically: space efficiency
Squash plants are notorious space hogs. Summer varieties need 24-30 inches between plants, and winter suash require 30-48 inches. Pumpkins can need up to 60 inches. When you add in spacing between rows of anywhere between 3 and 10 feet, it’s clear to see that spae is a premium commodity. You can add 50% more summer and winter squash plants into your garden when they are staked to grow vertically. Pumpkin vines can grow 20 feet long if left unchecked. When grown vertically the footprint is about 3 square feet.
2. WHY grow squash vertically: combat powdery mildew
Powdery mildew is a fungus in the soil that is a huge enemy of the squash family, from pumpkins to cucumbers. The fungus thrives in humid, moderate climates and tends to infect lower leaves that touch the soil. If the leaves are not removed, the fungus will spread to leaves above, and can eventually kill the plant. When the plant is left to sprawl across the ground, it is very difficult to spot interior leaves that are infected. Also, the thick foliage increases humidity and blocks airflow, causing a perfect storm for the disease to spread. Utilizing vertical growing opens the plant to air circulation. Additioally it keeps the leaves from contacting the soil where the fungus is transmitted.
3. WHY grow squash vertically: Pest management
Squash bugs can be a gardener’s nightmare. They lay their eggs, usually 7 to 20 at a time, on the underside of the leaves. Once hatched, the young begin consuming the leaves. One squash bug will lay up to 250 eggs in its short life. It is easy to see how quickly the population can get out of control if they are not intercepted. The most efficient method of combatting them is a daily inspection of the plants, looking for two things to remove: adults or hatched offspring, and eggs.
The eggs are usually laid on the underside of the leaves. It is difficult to catch all the culprits when the leaves are sprawled everywhere. When the plant is staked to grow vertically, you’ll find it much easier to inspect all the leaves and nab those little varmits!
4. WHY grow squash vertically: improved pollination
Squash plants produce both male and female flowers. The pollen from the male flowers must be transferred to the female flowers in order for pollination to take place. Our pollinator friends, bees and butterflies, accomplish this task for us when they can access the flowers. When the leaves are allowed to sprawl on the ground, it is difficult for the insects to reach the flowers to do their job. On the other hand, when the plants are grown vertically, there is plenty of room for the pollinators to move about.
1. how to grow squash vertically: Tomato cages
Tomato cages are oftern used to trellis squash pants. I have found it to be my least used, though, because it is difficult to manage the plants within the narrow confines of the cage. The cage is placed around the young plnat. As it grows, guide the stems through the cage. This method opens up the plant to allow for plenty of air circulation.
2. how to grow squash vertically: Stakes
Staking the squash plants has proved to be quite successful for me. Be sure the stake is sturdy enough to bear the weight of the fully mature plant and fruit. 3/4″ thick by 40″ is a good size. Bamboo sticks or anything that has a small diameter will not support the plant. Drive the stake into the ground about 8″ deep. Starting at the bottom of the plant tie the stem to the stake. As it grows, continue tying it to the stake.
3. How to grow squash vertically: trellis
A trellis can be a fence or a cattle panel or other fencing material. The weight of the squash fruit should determine the strength needed. You should leave the large varieties of pumpkin in a traditional patch. Smaller varieties, however, do quite well when trellised as long as the support is sturdy. By the way, you can find a tutorial for building a pumpkin tower trellis at www.missourigirlhome.com /growing pumpkins vertically in a small space – pumpkin tower.
hope this is helpful!
Adjusting my gardening to grow squash vertically was one of the best gardening decisions I’ve made. It resulted in a highly reduced incidence of powdery mildew and highly increased capture of squash bugs. That translated into healthy plants, healthy soil, and healthy produce. And that translated into a higher joy factor in my homesteading experience.