Does anyone train their squash to climb? What varieties?

[Victoria26]

As I'm gonna have limited space this year I'd like to try training some squash up beanpoles.

Although I've seen this done on tv and in books I don't know anyone who does this.

Do any of you do this? Also what varieties will climb best?

[kingkano]

Not sure about up a beanpole as its not quite enough support for it to grab and support the fruit. But I did grow them up plastic fencing last year (the 2" square type stuff). I did 3 varieties and they all seemed to work with needing varying levels of support for the fruits as they grew bigger.

I did the same as courgette plants started to sprawl too, not so much climbing as leaning them up against supports :P

[tamsin]

I did spaghetti squash up a wooden trellis fence. I'm guessing you need quite small squash if you use bamboo, hazel poles might take more weight as they're a bit thicker.

[smallblueplanet]

Red onion squash up one of those metal obelisks from Lidl.

[Victoria26]

Thanks everyone, I've got a double rose arch and am gonna try it with spaghetti squash and butternuts! hubbys just built me my first no dig bed for our new house!!

How kind is he??? Im so excited...especially as I havent actually SEEN my new garden apart from being told its quite big but needing lots of attention!!

[SawPaw]

I didn't realise that spaghetti squash needed support so thanks to this, I will get some trellis put into place. How high was your trellis Tamsin?

[susieq100]

I grew Potimarron over a rose arch last year - it seemed to work OK. But this year I am going to use the arch for gherkins!

[Suky]

I'm planning a couple of butternuts over an arch with mesh for support.

[tamsin]

I didn't realise that spaghetti squash needed support so thanks to this, I will get some trellis put into place. How high was your trellis Tamsin?

It's a panel on our back fence so 6'x6', the squash went up one side and across the top. I supported the vine with string near the squashes but didn't support the squash themselves. It looked great, you get to see the flowers really well when they are going upwards

[Florence Fennel]

I've only ever grown pumpkins and courgettes, but this year I'm trying some varieties of squash as well, so will bear this in mind.

[Victoria26]

Thanks for all the ideas. Think I will put mesh over my arch too to support the fruits! x

[Nibbler]

Hi Victoria,

I have bought some Tromboncino and Black Forest F1 seeds for this purpose, as they are advertised as climbers. Hope this helps

I did try to grow a cucumber in a pot up a cane wigwam, and it seemed to be working until a late night party-goer landed on it.

[StephenH]

Achocha, a member of the gourd family and thus related to squashes, is meant to climb. It's available from some specialist seed merchants. Not sure which ones off-hand - I got mine from the HSL - but a google should find some.

[ginger ninger]

I grow mine over an arch, this year I'm growing "Mini red turban and Trombetta di albenga". I've also got some old wooden ladders I'm going to use.

[BroadRipple]

Tromboncinos are the business! Seriously. Last year my single one (in ground not pot) grew about 4 metres in several directions simultaneously - and if I'd realised I should check its growth I'd have had more fruit. As it was, they were huge, hilariously phallic and delicious...can't recommend them enough. Anyone else?