Non trailing butternut squash

**Two_Sheds** · 25-01-2011, 05:29 PM

you can train it instead: either up a trellis-type affair, or round and round in a spiral pinning it down as it grows

**Creemteez** · 25-01-2011, 06:44 PM

I grew my squash in a half-barrel last year and trained them up the bank and along the fence. Did very well as they got more sun to the flowers and more polinating insects seemed to find them. Still got squashes in store!

**ginger ninger** · 25-01-2011, 07:36 PM

Treat your self to an arch and grow it up and over it. That way you'll have room to plant underneath it.

**scotindevon** · 26-01-2011, 06:38 PM

thanks for the help. think i might try the arch idea

**snakeshack** · 27-01-2011, 12:52 AM

I had my best ever crop from an arch,42 squash from 3 plants

**Florence Fennel** · 27-01-2011, 09:42 AM

Wrought iron or wood? I would imagine it has to be a sturdy arch as the plants are quite heavy?

**Two_Sheds** · 27-01-2011, 10:04 AM

Originally posted by ginger ninger View Post

Treat your self to an arch

Originally posted by snakeshack View Post

I had my best ever crop from an arch,42 squash from 3 plants

Right, I've got a spare arch in the shed (Wilko's 75% off sale), so that's now the school squash sorted (I'll grow Hooligan I think, nice little pumpkin)

**vegnut** · 27-01-2011, 10:16 AM

T&M have a compact variety called Avalon. The fruits are smaller but i found that they are quite prolific. Well worth a try if space is a problem.

**snakeshack** · 27-01-2011, 01:41 PM

I grow hunter or cobnut as they crop slightly earlier than most which is an advantage in our climate.I use a standard cheapo arch from b&q or wilko's,I bought 1/2 dozen end of season year before last and they are still going despite the fairly flimsy tube construction,cost �3-4 each as I recall

**Dottie** · 27-01-2011, 05:11 PM

Originally posted by Two_Sheds View Post

Right, I've got a spare arch in the shed (Wilko's 75% off sale), so that's now the school squash sorted (I'll grow Hooligan I think, nice little pumpkin)

I've used lots of Wilko's arches and they are great for instant arches, but within 2 or 3 years they begin to fall apart. However, the metal itself is still ok, it's more a case of the nut connection rots. So once you put them up, I would suggest you wrap each join with maybe some strong plastic tape to form a solid T-junction. I think this would then provide the added support needed, when the nuts join rot and you won't have to mess around trying to re-join them once they snap in the winter months. Yep like I'm going to have to do with at least 4 of my arches, as they were the first up. It's not going to be easy, as nearly every join is disconnecting or may do as I fiddle around with the other joints, if only I'd known. Obviously the quick answer is to get rid and replace with another cheapy or build a wooden arch, but I prefer to see if I can repair and even improve on the design! Actually I only paid �1.25 each, so that confirms I more up for the challenge. But if the tape was used when first assembled, hopefully you won't have the same problem to deal with in the future.

**Two_Sheds** · 27-01-2011, 05:16 PM

Originally posted by Dottie View Post

Wilko's arches ... fall apart. ...wrap each join with maybe some strong plastic tape to form a solid T-junction.

Good tip, thanks. When they finally do fall apart I shall leave them on Wilko's customer service desk. I'm fed up with buying shoddy rubbish from them

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Non trailing butternut squash

Non trailing butternut squash

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