Squash -- Vine or Bush?

bonnie0128 wrote:Has anyone come up with a yellow squash that is a vining variety? I haven't been able to find one anywhere!

There one hybrid called Papaya Pear that's referred to as semi-vining or semi-bush. Needs to be picked small, gets bitter if you let them get too big. I grew these back when I first started SFG'ing. You don't need a tall trellis though, more like something to let them drape over...like a rail fence. They were definitely a conversation piece! Looks like little yellow light bulbs.

I have more space now, so I have created two 2 x 2 boxes just for bush-type summer squash. I love that little pattypan type you see there in my avatar image -- it's called Flying Saucer. Now if I can just keep those squash bugs and vine borers away!

Patti

Hi Pattypan,

How much space do your bush-variety pattypan squash actually use? I am considering giving them a try but I don't want them to take up too much space in my 4x4 boxes. Could I grow them in 1 square and control their sprawl by using a tomato cage on them?

Summer squash are new adventure for me and it is great that I can glean some information from someone who is familiar with them so I can get it right the first time!

bullfrogbabe wrote:Hi Pattypan,

How much space do your bush-variety pattypan squash actually use? I am considering giving them a try but I don't want them to take up too much space in my 4x4 boxes. Could I grow them in 1 square and control their sprawl by using a tomato cage on them?
Summer squash are new adventure for me and it is great that I can glean
some information from someone who is familiar with them so I can get it
right the first time!

Most pattypan squash are semi-vining (2 to 3 foot vines). That particular pattypan (Flying Saucer) had HUGE leaves, so it was probably good that I had it in it's own box. It did spread out in the aisles, but since it was on the corner of my SFG area, it didn't matter. It might work if you put it up on a short trellis at the corner of a 4 x 4 box. You could always look for a zucchini that is labeled as "compact bush" if you don't want to trellis, but I would still keep it on an outside corner.

I'm still learning what works too!

Patti

I don't have any answers to the bush or vine, and I am new at SFG, but... I originally started a garden because I adore summer squash, zucs, crooknecks and all the varieties in between. Yes these babies take up a ton of room, at least 3 sq/ft per plant, but I love them in everything, casseroles, omelets, stir fry, soups, dehydrated, even in my spagetti sauce. I had not even considered putting them in my 4 x 4's, my plan was to build a lot of 1 x 1's, one for each squash I want to plant and put them wherever I can fit them. Or, space permitting, plant them on an edge or a corner. These things don't hardly have any roots, but some how manage to get huge. Anyone think they won't do well in 1 x 1's?

Hey everybody -- I'm also on a quest to find vertical growing squash. I'm in zone 6b and going to try both summer and winter squash, as well as Sugar Pie Pumpkins (I want to can a bunch). All I've ever done before is Zucchini, so this will be a truly experimental year...

I am making separate sfg's for my summer squash. They are 2x2.

Hello all,

I've scanned over this thread and didn't see anyone mention the use of t-posts on yellow summer squash. I'm trying it for the first time this year after reading about it from other gardeners on gardenweb.com. It was highly recommended by one gardener who says he's been doing it for years with 1 plant/square. My squash are still young and I can already see that I probably should've considered how massive the leaves can become. (Maybe, depending on how the rest of this season goes, I might provide a bit more space in the future. I'm still getting acclimated to the idea of SFG and the "coziness" of it all! It just freaks me out to see everything so--well, CLOSE!)

Anyhow, below you'll see a few pics of the process so far:









The stakes were driven around the same time I planted the seed; the original instructions I found suggested using a strong rope tied at the base of the stake. The rope is tied upward as needed to secure the main stalk of the squash plant. For mine, I decided to add a strip of thick pantyhose as needed. I think the pantyhose is better since it stretches a bit but is still strong enough to sling around the plant.

Let me know what you all think!

--Amber

Dang it. I'm gonna have to dig up my squash and re-plant them.

dansamy,

Did you plant the wrong kind?

-Amber

I think mine are bushy and not viny. They currently don't have enough room to grow laterally where they are. I can re-plant them into 2 big containers though, which is what I'll probably do.

I just finished adding another strip of pantyhose around my yellow straightneck. I sure wish I would've given them 2 squares per plant instead of one. It is getting more and more crowded by the hour! And the stems are poking my arms to the point of itchiness!!!

I think pots would be a good bet. Then you can let them freely spread. Good Luck!

Squash get very "bushy" I've never tied them up though. I did make them their own 2x2 boxes though. I didn't want them taking up so much room in my main sfg.