How many squash can I fit into my bed?

[RobintheBobin]

Hi Grapes on this lovely sunny morning

Currently I'm trying to work out how many squash I can fit into two beds of 1m x 3m. I am going to grow butternut, crown prince, uchiki kuri and one each of two courgette varieties. I thought that ideally I'd allow 1sqm for a crown prince, uchiki and the courgettes - does that sound too much space or just right? After looking at the recommended spacing for the butternut it seems I could fit perhaps two into 1sqm - perhaps diagonally opposite each other?

I haven't had much experience of squash and I couldn't really find a definitive answer so I thought your experience may be the answer.

Finally I have read that some of you have pinned trailing squash into circles a la Joy Larkcom - does anyone have any piccies as I can't visualise how tight the circle needs to be.

Many thanks...rightio, off to proper work now

[zazen999]

Have they got space to ramble off the actual bed?

[RobintheBobin]

Hmmmm...along my paths?

[zazen999]

Mine do - I plant them at the sides of the beds to let them ramble; keeps the fruits cleaner as well.

[ginger ninger]

If you could build something strong for them to grow up and over you can free the space underneath for your courgette. But remember they're very greedy plants and they drink lots of water, especially when the fruit start to develop.

[greengas]

Just reading this thread and it got be to thinking, I have 2 beds which I have designated for squash and my qusetion is can I put different varietys in same bed?

I have orelia courgettes, Zuchini courgettes, Rolet winter squash, Turks turban, Sunburst, cobnut butternut squash and Jack O'lantern. The beds are 13' long by 5' wide any tips would be appreciated

[Flummery]

I sleep in half of a double bed - I reckon I could get 2 on my side!
Squash ramble off where they aren't allowed. I give them about a sq metre each but they stray!

[chris]

hmm.. I've got probably 2' x 2' spare planks lying around - if I built them into small beds (enough for two) could I plant two in each, diagnoally at either end, they'll have the room they need to wander off fine.. Just curious about root development.

[Rocketron]

Won't cross-pollination be a problem?

[zazen999]

Won't cross-pollination be a problem?

Only if you are saving seed, then you need to pollinate by hand anyway.

[reetnproper]

Won't cross-pollination be a problem?

As I, in my novice state, understand it, cross pollination is only a problem if you want to use the seed for next years sowing - could make for some interesting specimens .

Last year I had mixed Winter Squash, Pumpkins and Cobnut squash all growing within easy reach of each other (from a bees perspective) and each plant produced the fruit they were meant too.

There are some really experienced Grapes who will be answer you more accurately though .

Reet
x

[HayleyB]

I had green courgettes in a separate bed to yellow ones but still got some cross pollination, interesting lime colour they came out