Zucchini

Lavender Debs 3/4/2011, 10:25 am

Taking up less space in the SFG

I just saw this Post on a blog I follow called "My Square Foot Garden" by someone named Emily. I am not a big fan of summer squash, but my son is and people that like getting baskets of vegetables from me like it.

I am going to try this method she posted for growing zucchini in a single square.

Have a look.
My Square Foot Garden by Emily

It is a little difficult to see from the pictures, even the video is a bit fuzzy (maybe it is my eyes). It looks like you plant a 4’ stake when you plant your zucchini (cucumbers too). The vine is trained up the stake and the top is pinched when it reaches 4’. After each fruit is harvested the leaf below it is also pinched off. The video does a good job explaining. There is a lot of video to slog through before getting to the zucchini, but the narrator has a lovely Australian accent to get all dreamy about while waiting. No worries, you will not fall in love with him because he is a row gardener.

Deborah…..who happens to have dozens of 2”x2”x4’ cedar deck rails that should be used for something.

windrider1967 3/4/2011, 10:52 am

I can see how this technique can easily be used with square foot gardening - rather than utalizing a trellis system. Individual stakes with the plants trained on them would really help with getting the most out of every square foot. I never realized about pruning leaves below back once the fruit or veg has set. It makes sense tho, focuses the energy on the crop not extraneous leaves. Think I may have to get some 1 by or cut some.

FarmerValerie 3/4/2011, 11:12 am

I leave mine alone. I use the shade from the plant for shading other plants, or weed control. You can do just fine with 18" of space for your zukes and squash. I will be putting mine in my Three Sisters boxes this year, and I plan on letting everyone in that box do their thing.

Lavender Debs 3/4/2011, 11:18 am

Most do Val, but I have a small garden and need the space.

dizzygardener 3/4/2011, 12:01 pm

I like that method.

Anyone know if it might work with a bush type zucchini?

quiltbea 3/4/2011, 1:02 pm

I watched the whole video and loved it. I like his idea. I'm going to try it this spring with my zucchini for starters. The watering bit is informative, too.

Smartchick 3/4/2011, 1:53 pm

I am so going to try this. I have some heavy metal 1/2" diameter poles that my brother got me that are about 4 feet long. I'm pretty sure they need to have zucchini growing up them!

TheVickster 3/24/2011, 8:23 pm

Thanks for posting that link - it was great! I can't wait to try it. I am ALL ABOUT anything that saves space.

milaneyjane 3/24/2011, 8:59 pm

I stumbled upon the same article last week and was amazed. I never thought of zucchini being trainable. I may try it this year too.

Megan 3/24/2011, 10:42 pm

I trained my rampicante very successfully on a trellis (before it truly rampicante-ized and took over). I used nylon stocking "footies", worked fine. Just be prepared to adjust the ties twice a day.

Old Hippie 3/24/2011, 10:50 pm

Megan wrote:I trained my rampicante very successfully on a trellis (before it truly rampicante-ized and took over). I used nylon stocking "footies", worked fine.

Megan, Jack and his beanstalk had nothing on your and your rampicante. Personally, I think it is too bad you trained your rampicante. If you had just left it, you could have sicked it on your neighbourhood garden police.

Gwynn

Lavender Debs 3/25/2011, 9:47 am

Megan wrote:I trained my rampicante very successfully on a trellis ...snip.... Just be prepared to adjust the ties twice a day.

What do you mean be ready to adjust twice a day?

Goosegirl 3/25/2011, 10:20 am

Lavender Debs wrote:
Megan wrote:I trained my rampicante very successfully on a trellis ...snip.... Just be prepared to adjust the ties twice a day.
What do you mean be ready to adjust twice a day?

Probably outgrows or busts them! lol!

florenceq 3/25/2011, 2:39 pm

interesting..............I think I will give it a try on a few plants.

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