Spacing question, winter squash

[halleone]

Can anyone give me an idea on how far apart to space my squash plants? I will be trellising them on a cattle panel that is 50 inches wide, and can be 7-8 feet tall.

I could turn the panel the other way, but didn't figure 50 inches high would be of much value with crazy vines that want to run forever.

[linzelu100]

Hi Halleone, What varieties are you trellising? That helps me picture size of vines.

[halleone]

Originally Posted by linzelu100

Hi Halleone, What varieties are you trellising? That helps me picture size of vines.

Burpee Butterbush (I'm told it isn't really a bush)
Sunshine F1, a Kabocha orange from Johnny's
Greek Sweet Red
Tetsukabuto F1, a maxima x moschata cross

And thanks for seeing the post and responding....

[linzelu100]

I looked up all your varieties, and I think you may run into spacing trouble with Greek Sweet Red. Looks like a big plant variety. I trellis some squash and I think your cattle panels will be fine as long as they are really enforced and supported. What are you holding the panels up with?

As far as spacing... i have a lot of space to grow so I give extra space and it always helps to increase yields and decrease pests, but I have grown in tight places before. I know the urge to fit as much in as possible, but I wouldn't do that here, because squash bugs and large leaves shading out other plants, and also because squash are big feeders. One year I tried to fit too many and one HUGE plant took over the space for all the others, killing them. SO I only got one anyway. If it were me I would do one plant every 4 feet and for the Greek Sweet Red, 5-6 feet. But that's me, my experiences have led me to be conservative with space.

Lindsey

[halleone]

Originally Posted by linzelu100

I looked up all your varieties, and I think you may run into spacing trouble with Greek Sweet Red. Looks like a big plant variety. I trellis some squash and I think your cattle panels will be fine as long as they are really enforced and supported. What are you holding the panels up with?

As far as spacing... i have a lot of space to grow so I give extra space and it always helps to increase yields and decrease pests, but I have grown in tight places before. I know the urge to fit as much in as possible, but I wouldn't do that here, because squash bugs and large leaves shading out other plants, and also because squash are big feeders. One year I tried to fit too many and one HUGE plant took over the space for all the others, killing them. SO I only got one anyway. If it were me I would do one plant every 4 feet and for the Greek Sweet Red, 5-6 feet. But that's me, my experiences have led me to be conservative with space.

Lindsey

Ooooh, Lindsey, not the answer I was hoping for......

But I do see your point, and I would much rather have a few nice squashes, than several undersized, diseased ones. Now I have to go tell some of those seedlings they have to go...



Thanks for the help!

[kath]

Last year I spaced Burpee Butterbush 1' apart along a trellis and they did well and produced lots of fruits- I've never grown the other varieties. Since you're going to trellis them, it makes it easier to spot pests and leaf problems and the leaves get plenty of light. The other varieties might have larger leaves and if you're planning on spacing all of these varieties along one 50" trellis, that might be a problem.

[halleone]

Originally Posted by kath

Last year I spaced Burpee Butterbush 1' apart along a trellis and they did well and produced lots of fruits- I've never grown the other varieties. Since you're going to trellis them, it makes it easier to spot pests and leaf problems and the leaves get plenty of light. The other varieties might have larger leaves and if you're planning on spacing all of these varieties along one 50" trellis, that might be a problem.

Each variety gets its own 50 inch x 7-8 foot panel and will be the only thing growing (other than lettuce in its shade) in that bed.

[kath]

I looked up the other varieties, too, and someone had 40' vines on Sweet Greek Red! Tetsukabuto came with a warning that it would take over the garden and for pollination it needs to be grown with a moschata variety, which you have in the Sunshine F1. The Sunshine F1 supposedly has compact but vigorous vines. Trellis support would need to be substantial because of the weight of the vines and fruits.

[halleone]

Originally Posted by kath

I looked up the other varieties, too, and someone had 40' vines on Sweet Greek Red! Tetsukabuto came with a warning that it would take over the garden and for pollination it needs to be grown with a moschata variety, which you have in the Sunshine F1. The Sunshine F1 supposedly has compact but vigorous vines. Trellis support would need to be substantial because of the weight of the vines and fruits.

I am beginning to re-think Greek Sweet Red - a 40' vine just ain't going to fit anywhere in this garden! Maybe it could grow on the back fence, or maybe just get planted at the top of the hill and let it grow downhill. It would have a full acre to itself.

[linzelu100]

Well, there you go! Let it roam free! lol