Lauren has written asking about supports for her square foot garden, here is her question:
I'm new to blogging, and love what you are doing with your site. I have a question about the square foot garden. What types of supports do you like for heavy pumpkins and squash that can take up a lot of room? My garden space is about 4x10 and part of an urban organic garden. Any suggestions that you have would be greatly appreciated. I know it's early, but I'm so excited to start in the spring. Click here to see a picture of her garden.
Lauren, in my garden I have used 3 bamboo poles that I sunk into the dirt as far as I could and then tied at the top. I place one plant at the bottom of each pole and tie the vine up the pole as it grows. I have grown winter squash, pumpkins and melons in this manner. Click here for that article. In another article about peas, there is a diagram showing a few other options. Click here for that article. And now lastly, but surly not leastly, click here for a great video Dale put together about the trellis he made.
Does anyone have any other suggestions? Leave a comment if you do!
4 comments:
Lauren,
Your garden looks beautiful! I love your blog. What I am very jealous of is your location on the water. do you have a boat?
I am looking at the photos of your trellising system. Here are my suggestions if you want it to support heavier plants like squash and SMALL pumpkins.
Instead of the lightweight metal posts, use Heavy metal T posts. Put the posts no more than 4-5 feet on center.
It looks like you are using some kind of string netting that is 4 inches on center. I would suggest using welding wire fencing 4-5 feet high that is 2x4 inches on center available at Lowes or Home Depot. The welded wire fencing can hold up most anything. I like the wires 2x4 inches on center because when I tuck a vine through it, the leaves will hold it into the trellising without using twine or garden tape to hold it on.
This trellis systems will last season after season of peas, pole beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, and anything else that will climb.
See my video that Marisa mentioned for a look at the trellis system I just described.
A couple of days ago I clean off the old dead brittle tomato vines in about 5 minutes. The trellis is ready for me to plant peas in March.
Good luck on your garden this year and keep up the good work!
Dale
Thanks so much for your comment! I didn't realize how big & HEAVY The squash were going to get. I'll def check out home-depot for fence.
I love Dale's system. I am totally going to do it this year as well as help my neighbor's build one too!
Lucy,
Thanks for commenting, we look forward to hearing more from you.
Marisa
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