Growing in Pots

[JennieAtkinson]

Having done my "plan" I'm running out of space, but would like to grow a number of things in pots, really for the flexibility of finding out a good place for them to grow in the garden. I have used pots quite successfully in the past but not too sure about these two possibilities:

I have ordered three gooseberry bushes but don't want to plant them in the garden yet until I find out how much shelter they need. So I thougt I would put them in large pots. Anyone else done that with gooseberries? or other fruit? Has it been successful?

I have had absolutely no luck with squash despite trying every year. Has anyone tried growing squash in pots? I wondered if I filled them with some of my pony manure which has been sitting nicely now for six months whether that would give them enough nutrients to grow and of course I could move them around to find a sheltered spot (I think they might be a bit susceptible to cold wind). I have tried them in the polytunnel too, but all I got were leaves.

Grateful for anyone with some "hot tips". Thanks.

[vicki]

I've grown courgettes in pots which are like squash. They've always done well but need watering loads.

[Alice]

Squash



I grew mine in 12" pots Jennie. I mixed manure with the compost as they like to be well fed. They did very well - about 4 squash per plant. You can see them in the pic getting prepared for the pot.
I think you're right about them not liking a cold wind. I grew mine on a south facing terrace and they were very happy there, but the first on I put out to harden of got a bit if chilly wind and didn't like it. It recovered but was always a bit behind the rest. Give them another go and good luck.

[Digger-07]

I have tried them in the polytunnel too, but all I got were leaves.

It may be that putting them in the polytunnel stopped insects from polinating the female flowers. I always try to hand polinate if the weather is bad and the flowers are open just in case the birds and bees are tucked up warm somewhere.

[sewer rat]

Jennie
First off - Happy New Year, and may 2007 be all you want it to be.
Yopu can grow fruit bushes (and small trees such as the Minarettes from Ken Muir) in pots no problem - just make sure your pots are large enough to comfortably hold the bushes. Goosegogs do not need to be in a particularly sheltered spot - I have two varieties which have self seeded in cracks on top of my 7ft high sandstone wall, seriously open to the elements and not only do they crop well, the sawfly which decimated the bushes in my garden, can't get to them
Squashes are a different matter up here. I honestly think that we would struggle to produce any sort of crop this far north as the season is just that little bit too short, though you might have some success in your tunnel. Nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say

[JennieAtkinson]

Thanks all for your encouragement and advice. Interesting what you say about squash Rat, perhaps it just isn't going to be a veg I can grow. I didn't think about pollinating the flowers though - hmmmm! But I'll give it another go.

Great news about gooseberries being such good growers in northern Scotland. Can't wait to get them started!

[JazzDuke]

Courgettes and patty pan squash both certainly work well in growbags. For fruit in pots blueberries is an obvious choice. For something a bit different I also grew some huckleberries successfully in a pot last year.

[JennieAtkinson]

Thats interesting JazzDuke - have also ordered two blueberries (I head they need to have another to cross pollinate) and was going to put them in pots by the greenhouse which should be quite sheltered.

What are huckleberries? Are they like a raspberry?

[Snadger]

Thats interesting JazzDuke - have also ordered two blueberries (I head they need to have another to cross pollinate) and was going to put them in pots by the greenhouse which should be quite sheltered.

What are huckleberries? Are they like a raspberry?

Just remember him swinging a dead cat!

[NOG]

I have ordered three gooseberry bushes but don't want to plant them in the garden yet until I find out how much shelter they need. So I thougt I would put them in large pots. Anyone else done that with gooseberries? or other fruit? Has it been successful?

I have had absolutely no luck with squash despite trying every year. Has anyone tried growing squash in pots?

Grateful for anyone with some "hot tips". Thanks.

Yes I put gooseberry in pots when I first get them £land sell them in January so I pot them up and leave them in the greenhouse till the ground warms up. Last year I left some in post and fed them with liquid feed all year and then planted them out in the autumn and they were ok.

Squash....plant them in small post and FEED them and FEED them oh and FEED them, once they are big enought plant them directly in to the top of a compost bin they will love it Cos they are very heavy feeders. the same works for pumpkins and marrow.