Tomatoes and Squash

[TomatoDon]

I grow a lot of large plants such as Goliath and other indeterminates and I use wide spacings or about 4 feet between the plants in all directions. I like to grow two rows with these spacings, and then I skip a wide place to get in and out with a four wheeler and trailer when doing maintenance and picking.

It seems a lot of wasted space, especially down the middle between the two rows of each bed and I wondered if any of you have added straight neck squash in such an instance. My cages are 24" inches, so there is a minimum of 24" where I could center a squash transplant. The low foliage on my tomatoes usually doesn't spread out too wide, so I will be able to get 4 square feet per squash plant, or close to it.

I'm going to try some just to see if it works and how well it works. I wanted to get feedback here from those who may have tried it. I am thinking it will help keep the soil temp down with all the squash foliage especially since all this is grown using plastic. But if people here have tried it with bad results I may have to re-think or cancel this idea.

I've read all the basic stuff online and wanted some real world opinions and experience from Tomatovillians since I know many of you and this is by far a greater and more accurate collection of real world experience/knowledge than the common "gardening article" online.

Thanks in advance,
Don