Climbing squashes

**Small pumpkin** · 19-09-2014, 06:33 AM

Just googled Tromba d'Albenga squash as I had no idea what it was. They look really cool. What they taste like VC? My small sugar pumpkins and long green trailing marrow both have tendrils. Not sure they would climb voluntarily. If they did I think you would have to faff about supporting the fruit. I'm going to shut up now because I'm not being very helpful. Sorry.

**Snadger** · 19-09-2014, 07:19 AM

I've grown squashes this year thinking they would trail like pumpkins?

I was surprised to see them heading skyward above my pumpkins (flopping back due to gravity eventually)

and would deffo grow them vertically next time as this seems to be there preferred growth pattern. Can't remember what squashes I am growing but skyward is the way to go next year.

**Nicos** · 19-09-2014, 07:28 AM

^^^^.... You'd best start saving your fishnets....just in case

**Thelma Sanders** · 19-09-2014, 07:55 AM

Trombas get heavy but they don't fall off

I use the summer ones just like courgettes (the neck bit is seedless so gives you nice slices) any later ones get used as a replacement for Aubergines in many dishes, or in winter curries.

They don't have as much flavour as a butternut, and they're not as sweet as some - but I grow them every year.

**CurlyGreen** · 19-09-2014, 08:15 AM

I found most Squash will find their own way up a runner bean net. But supports made out of poles they seem to need a bit more guidance. Sweet Dumpling are a lively climber.

**daviddevantnhisspiritwife** · 19-09-2014, 08:47 AM

This is a good idea. Mine have trailed everywhere this year and that has rendered some of my new paths impassible until I have harvested them all. A winter project [sturdy vertical supports for squashes].

Not sure which to recommend though as most of mine have just trailed and not climbed. Though a plant from seeds from a supermarket butternut has climbed the borlotti poles.

**veggiechicken** · 19-09-2014, 09:05 AM

Thanks for the suggestions - keep'em coming

Here are some squashes that I've been growing in a bed that sprawled everywhere and have been tied up against the GH. Next year, I want to start them growing upwards from the start, but if they're self supporting, it would be easier.

Attached Files

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**Farmer_Gyles** · 19-09-2014, 09:13 AM

i had squashes that trailed everywhere this year .... didn't think to try growing them upwards .... but then again, only one tiny squash in 30ft of plants ....
i will do better next year .....

**lottie dolly** · 19-09-2014, 10:37 AM

With what i have seen on our plots,squash will climb up,it will need the means to get a hold of something,i had a tromba in the poly,made a rough frame work,it had to be helped to start of,then wove it back and forth along the bamboo canes,i have a large one that grew from aprox 4ft high,it hung down with no bother at all,butternuts seem to reach up and over the top of themselves and each other too,also cling onto any netting they find,the only bother about growing upwards is,it can shade some areas,

**starloc** · 19-09-2014, 11:30 AM

its much easier just to leave them to it than to get the to climb, like ridge cucumbers

mine are sprawling around everywhere, I keep turning them back from the edges every now and then to keep them in the right place
I have never grown squash before, planted about the start of August 10 butternut???? squash plants from the free gardeners world seeds i got a few years ago ,
I went back to the UK a day or two later, got back to Bulgaria a week ago and thy seem to have been quite well behaved....they all grew round and round in circles over each other and now they are everywhere

Never grown them or tasted them before so I hope they are useful or something!

**daviddevantnhisspiritwife** · 19-09-2014, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by starloc View Post

Never grown them or tasted them before so I hope they are useful or something!

They store well and are very versatile for cooking (roasted with garlic / in curries / rissotto / soup / lasagne). Great flavour, much better than summer squashes/courgettes.

**Greenleaves** · 19-09-2014, 06:52 PM

I never realised they did? Might give them ago up the lottie shed next year. I have just read about Red Kuri, which is supposed to be a good climber and have good taste too

**treepixie** · 19-09-2014, 07:05 PM

I am planning on growing table dainty marrows and sweet dumplings up supports next year.

Here's an interesting article

Growing Winter Squash with Vertical Gardening

**Snadger** · 19-09-2014, 07:13 PM

Originally posted by Nicos View Post

^^^^.... You'd best start saving your fishnets....just in case

Have you been peeping over the allotment fence Nicos?

Sussies and bra might come in handy also!

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