Pumpkins in containers

[SaraJH]

Hubby is determined to grow a pumpkin for Halloween now that we have our veg patch in the garden. We would also like to grow some butternut squash.

The issue we have is space in our raised beds, and my plans for SFG in the beds. Realistically we only have 3 whole squares available plus 2 x 2/3rds squares. The 3 squares are next to one another and the 2/3rds squares are adjoining these. I think that these would be better used for other veg. Gold star for anyone that understood this paragraph!

So, my question is, if I bought some planters with trellis attached could we grow pumpkins and squash vertically up these?

Thanks.

[Small pumpkin]

I would say yes (but pumpkins are another mild obsession) and I'm guessing it would need feeding regularly and as the fruit mature they would need extra support. I would try something like small sugar, not a huge pumpkin but big enough to carve for Halloween.
Someone with a lot more knowledge rather than just enthusiasm will be a long soon to advise you.

[SaraJH]

Thanks SP, I'm hoping that this could work as I have just the spot for them and I think that they would look great. I've been looking at pictures online and now I want a heavy duty pergola so that I can grow pumpkins over it and have the fruits hanging down!

[veggiechicken]

A Halloween size pumpkin would be too heavy to climb but you could, maybe, plant it in a square and let it sprawl over the ground.

[SaraJH]

Thanks VC, I have room for it to sprawl, will it put down roots whilst sprawling around? We have put down membrane and gravel between the beds and the last thing I want is something taking root between the beds!

[muddled]

If it took root it would be dead easy to pull up in the autumn, they don't go down far.

What if you were to build your soil up....by putting a bottomless cointainer on your free squares?
That MIGHT (I've never tried it) give you the best of both...plenty of root room but the fruit out the way so you aren't tripping over it?

The trouble with big pumpkins is they need so much water in a container....they can dry out in less than a day.

[Snadger]

I've found that pumpkins want to 'sprawl' but squash want to climb. In a container i would imagine your biggest problem would be keeping up with the watering. Pumpkins have a mahoosive leaf area and are transpiring at a rate of knots in hot weather!

[SusieG]

I'm interested in your question and replies - I'm growing pumpkin for first time this year and was scratching my head as to best go about this.
I was thinking of some sort of metal trellissy thing.
Daft question now, but do the fruits (pumpkins) grow on the ground or like cucumbers do they grow from various points as they grow upwards ..?

[SaraJH]

Hmmmmm, much food for thought and more complicated than I thought!

Watering isn't a problem as we both work from home and can keep an eye on things throughout the day, we're also not metered

Sprawling still seems the way to go. The spot where I had planned for the climbing containers is in a bed that's about 40ft long and 70cm wide (containers about 1/3 along) but it's shared with Autumn raspberries, an apple espalier and runner beans. Basically it's along our south facing fence.

I might risk planting into the container and allowing the plants to sprawl along the bed?

If it works, great, if not then it's back to the drawing board for next year

[SaraJH]

I'm interested in your question and replies - I'm growing pumpkin for first time this year and was scratching my head as to best go about this.
I was thinking of some sort of metal trellissy thing.
Daft question now, but do the fruits (pumpkins) grow on the ground or like cucumbers do they grow from various points as they grow upwards ..?

I have no idea Susie, this veg growing lark is soooo complicated!

[Small pumpkin]

I let my pumpkins sprawl but if I didn't have the space I would try the vertical thing ( because I love pumpkins). But I would be thinking of way to support the fruits. Fleece hammock or something.

[SusieG]

I let my pumpkins sprawl but if I didn't have the space I would try the vertical thing ( because I love pumpkins). But I would be thinking of way to support the fruits. Fleece hammock or something.

Haha SP, funny that, you liking pumpkins!!
So they do grow at various points UP the plant? And how many can I expect from each plant? I have four healthy-looking seedlings growing nicely on kitchen windowsill?

[SaraJH]

I'm thinking of the old fashioned granny type shopping bags to support the pumpkins, apologies to all old people

[SaraJH]

Those net shopping bags are not to be ridiculed, nor the people that use them, I just thought that they would make great pumpkin hammocks!

[muddled]

I read somewhere about a method for training pumpkin plants (it might have been a Joy Larkcom book) where they put canes in the ground in a circle around the plant. Then they wove the vine in and out of them as it grew...thereby keeping it within a set area.

I did sort of try it but wasn't able to get there every day and it soon got away from me. But if you're growing at home it would probably work.