Summer Squash are among the easiest and most productive plants to grow in the garden. They are fun to grow too since there are so many different shapes, colors, and varieties. Often times I find myself trying to squeeze in more varieties than I have room for in the garden.
Summer Squash loves the summer heat, and usually begins producing within 60 days after planting and continues all season until frost, disease, or Squash Vine Borer takes it out. There is a numerous diversity of Summer Squash available including Zucchini or Courgette, Patty Pan or Scallop, Yellow Crookneck, and Yellow Straight Neck Squash. Each type has many varieties, colors and shapes.
Zucchini, Yellow Crookneck, and Round Zucchini
Squash is divided into two types, Winter Squash and Summer Squash. Summer Squash differs from Winter Squash in that it is harvested young while it is still tender. In contrast, Winter Squash has a thicker rind and is harvested in the fall, cured, stored, and consumed during the winter months.
Unlike the rambling vines of many Winter Squashes, most Summer Squash have a bushy growth habit. The fruit begins forming at the base of the stem and continues developing up the stalk as the plant grows. Even though Summer Squash plants are bush like, the stem of the plant does tend to lengthen a little as it grows.
Since I have been converting my garden to permanent raised beds that are only 3-feet wide, I had to think of some creative ways to keep the summer squash confined to the bed and prevent it from flopping out into the aisles. For me, the logical answer was to grow summer squash vertically using tomato cages to support the plant and keep it upright.
Although my first goal was to save space by keeping the bushy plants growing somewhat upwards instead of drooping sideways, I quickly discovered that growing summer squash vertically also served to aid in the health of the plant by keeping the foliage and lower fruit above the ground reducing moisture, pests, and the onset of fungal diseases.
A few of the hollow stems do bend over the cage wires, but overall growing summer squash vertically helps save space, encourages air circulation reducing plant disease, and allows the squash to be more visible reducing the chance of overgrowth.
Closeup of Yellow Crookneck Squash growing upward in a tomato cage.
Growing summer squash vertically by trellising or in tomato cages helps to save space, encourages air circulation, and allows the squash to be more visible reducing the chance of overgrowth.
You May Also Like:
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Whether you are new to growing your own food or have been growing a vegetable garden for years, you will benefit from some planning each year. You will find everything you need to organize and plan your vegetable garden in my PDF eBook, Grow a Good Life Guide to Planning Your Vegetable Garden.
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What an interesting idea! Unfortunately, I have yet to figure out how to grow summer squash that takes up a lot of room. All of mine – save for one – are still fairly tiny, although they are producing a squash here and there.
I would have never thought of that…I always have a ton of tomato cages laying around. I will have to try that next year! Thanks for sharing that tip with us!
Great idea. It looks like it is easier to see where your squash is, that way you don’t end up with squashzilla! I had one last year that hid under some of those huge leaves and it ended up being almost 2 feet long by the time I found it! Thanks.
Interesting idea, I may give it a try. I am growing a tromboncino up a trellis because it naturally vines.
That’s a pretty neat trick! I bet it makes for easier picking too. Will try next year.
I found out one of the drawbacks of vertical gardening this week end, as ex huricane Bertha blew over here in the UK, all my beans and winter squashes are now on the ground. I will have to find stronger supports for next year. I am now off to the garden to try to salvage what I can.
This is a great idea – You’re being featured tomorrow at Garden Up green on Tuesdays with a twist. Hope you stop by and share with your friends.
-Carole
Thank you for sharing at Tuesdays with a Twist!!! You have been featured today at Back to the Basics. Looking forward to seeing what you share this week.
Definitely going to try this. My biggest problem raising summer squash are the squash bugs. They always seem to find me. Does growing them like this help in that area?
It won’t prevent squash bugs, but it may make it easier for you to find the eggs and pick them off, and to pick off the bugs. Look up Squash Bugs and Duct Tape. This year, I’m also going to try my Crème Brule torch to kill the squash bugs.
Thanks for this tip using tomato cages on the zucchini plants because I do have a space problem and will definitely give this a try. As with tomatoes, I usually drive a tall garden stake into the ground inside the tomato cage for additional support. Sometimes the tomato cages are not that sturdy with heavy growth hanging on them.
Do you use regular 42″ tomato cages or do you use extra large cages?
Danielle, The extra large heavy cages are what I use. I push them in almost to the first ring.
I’m trying this, this year and I’m curious if you forced the leaves to stay inside the cage?
Hi Linda, I do try to direct the young leaves into the cage when I see them, but some grow outside. That’s ok as long as you have some inside to help support the growing vine inside the cage.
Thank you!
This is my first year gardening. Would it be possible to grow squash vertically using a trellis, or does it need to be surrounded on all sides? Looking at your picture, I’m starting to worry that I’ve over-planted my 3×6′ garden.
Megan, What type of squash are you growing? If your squash is a bush variety squash, trellising with tomato cages will keep it more compact. If you are growing a winter squash, you can grow it on a trellis by weaving the young vines through the trellis as it grows. The fruit will need to be supported. Panty hose works well for making a sling for the heavy fruit and allow rainwater to drain away.
Will this work with cucumbers of honeydew melons? I live in Southwest Nova Scotia, and we get lots of wind!!!
Erin, Cucumbers and melons have much longer vines. You can grow these on a trellis with some support for the melons.
Hi thanks for this – I have tons of squash growing and they’re tightly packed – I think I’m going to build a trellis of some kind as they’re fighting for space now!
This would work well for me. I grow my summer squash in pots to save my limited bed space. By the end of the season they grow over the edge and onto the deck where critters can get to them. Thanks for repeating the tip. I missed it first time around. – Margy
I’m trying this out this summer with my zucchini. Doing well so far. I have yellow squash next to the zucchini planted normally, and they are starting to flop into the path! May do all my summer squash vertically next year!
Awesome! Glad to hear it is working out for you.
Does this method allow more plants to be planted in a space? I have raised beds that are over 2ft tall… considering between this, or planting near the edges of the bed and allowing them to grow downward over the edge. We don’t have a ton of space but I want to grow a lot of different stuff!
Megan, Yes, it does save space to have your plants grow upwards instead of sprawling.