Two out of three ain't bad?

Wyldflower 4/22/2010, 12:45 pm

I'm definitely doing separate boxes for my summer squash... I have two 1x2 boxes built, but not filled yet. I'm planning on a zucchini in one box and a yellow straight in the other box.

I'm thinking that if the roots of the squash are okay in a 1' square, then maybe I can also plant pole beans in these same boxes. I don't have an inclination to try corn at this point, so this would be two of the three sisters. Does this make sense - do you think it'll work?

nikkablue 4/22/2010, 1:20 pm

Doesn't squash take up 2 squares?

Wyldflower 4/22/2010, 2:31 pm

I was thinking that the squash needs the space for spreading, not necessarily for root growth. I'd like to plant the squash at one end of the box and the beans at the other, and let the squash grow over the side of the box... but if it needs the space for the roots, then I'll put just the squash in these boxes.

Anyone know how much root space the squash needs as opposed to leaf and bush space?

boffer 4/22/2010, 3:58 pm

I had to go dig up a BS plant leftover from last year . Root-wise, two in a square will be OK. I think the vegetation is going to be crowded. However, it might be worth a try to see what happens, especially if you remove leaves as sprouts develop, which is sometimes recommended. I grow healthy plants, but more often than not the sprouts don't get bigger than marbles. I keep trying though, cause they are so good fresh.

Squash spacing is about vegetation space. Besides, if it's in a 1x2, it has 2 SF of root space. Those darn roots just don't respect Mel's grid concept!

I used to wonder about the intermingling of veggie roots. Then I looked at the dense brush and trees around my place and remembered that nature doesn't care, why should I. Root development size can be kept on the small side by the nutrients of Mel's mix and heavy watering. Just my two cents worth. Wink

Retired Member 1 4/22/2010, 5:27 pm

I agree with Boffer about the roots. I do think you'll be crowding the vegetative growth by also putting in pole beans, but it will be the beans that suffer not the squash, so if I were you, I'd go fer it and see what happens.

Cropper2 4/25/2010, 12:56 pm

Rather than letting them spread, can I get squash to grow up a net trellis?

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