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Shiney's got me thinking now about lack of space. Growing 'up the way' is of great interest to me, Nev has mentioned growing cucumbers vertically. Can anyone offer me some practical advice on vertical growing? I will soon have pumpkin and squash to plant out, any ideas on how to make these grow up something? I have a couple of old washing line poles that I would like to use in some way, will a pumpkin plant cling to a pole?

G'Day Greenbean,

I grow pumpkins over the shed, previously over the garage. I run a chook wire trellis supported on a timber frame and then put shade cloth over the top of the shed so they can grip. I did an article for grass roots on vertical gardening so I'll have to hunt that one out as well!

Nev

I would appreciate that Nev.

How can a pumpkin plant support the weight of a dangling pumpkin? I'm going to try to train my cucumbers up some supports to take up less room but cucumber fruit (is it a fruit?) don't have much weight. My pumpkins will have to spread out over the lawn as there is no room for them in the veggy patch.

I would be interested in your article too, Nev.

No worries,

You can use pantyhose or other netting which hangs off the support (trellis or whatever) and takes the weight of the pumpkin. .

Nev

Oooh errr, I hope there is a woman in your family Nev, otherwise you might get some funny looks buying them!

Funny you should mention that...................................

Oh, I've just seen that I've become Barbara/Felicity Kendall. Now I'm a happy bunny!

Yes, it was the weight of the pumpkins that was puzzling me. At the weekend I saw a picture of an archway covered in hanging gourds, it looked fantastic, the gourds had no obviously supports, they must be quite light.

Just how big does a pumpkin plant grow to? I have some great pumpkin and butternut squash seeds from Gill in Aus that she sent me, but have been pondering on the problem of space.

Nev?

We grew squash and pupmkins last year and they can go all over the place. I let some of the squash plant go up a wigwam and vandals got to the pumpkins before they really took over. Depends on the variety but I reackon very roughly you are looking at 15 foot sq.

Yeah they will ramble all over the place depending on where you elt 'em go and how fertile your soil is. I reckon Andy's estimate to be pretty good. The thing is that you can grow tall stuff like corn or tomatoes or climbing beans etc. and then grow the pumpkins on the ground as a mulch.

Nev

Mmmmm maybe I'll have to think about planting them at my friends place. Just no room here in my postage stamp garden.

Thanks for the info. 8)

I am experimenting in growing pumpkin and courgettes in containers (half barrels and an old copper water tank)

Nev sent me his growing up article and I managed to get it on-line already. here it is http://www.selfsufficientish.com/horizontalgrowing.htm