Grow Your Own Magazine

I have a very small veggie plot which I have dug over as a starter for 2007. I would love to grow some squash up a wigwam.I have some seeds for small squash types such as Uchiki Kuri. Does anyone know how many plants I should plant at the bottom of the wigwam? Is it just one plant or more? Your advice would be greatly appreciated!

We tried to grow some squash up a 5' metal obelisk (£6 from Lidl) - I think it was two Black futsu. They can be very vigorous, but we planted ours a bit late so not totally sure how many needed.

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Manda.

"Wouldn't it be nice
For maybe an hour
To not have a care."

I have 8 ft native hazel poles, very stout, to make squash wigwams. I'll lash five poles together per wigwam and train one squash plant up each pole. Seems overkill at the start of the season, but squash can get VERY heavy - better safe than sorry!

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SSx
not every situation requires a big onion

Hi all
I'm thinking of doing this too. Where do you get your stout hazel poles from Supersprout? I was thinking of buying a metal one, as I know it needs to be strong, but hazel may be a cheaper/better looking option?
Thanks
Jools

Hi Jools, I decided to go the sustainable wood route two years ago This website is organised for allotmenters wanting to use native wood: http://www.allotmentforestry.com/direct.htm. You'll get good advice from the coppice managers, not the least of which is to order your stakes, poles, beansticks etc. and pick up in Jan or Feb - most of their orders are completed in March.

A friend of mine (and her kids) found a Squash Arbour in France, thought you might enjoy her photos too!

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SSx
not every situation requires a big onion

Very excellent SS. Thanks for sharing the pics

Thanks for the forestry link SS.

This guy is near us check out the stuff he makes, fabulous.

Greenman woodcrafts love the Woodland seat & oak bench (in the market place link).

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Manda.

"Wouldn't it be nice
For maybe an hour
To not have a care."

Thanks for the info SS and the fantastic photos. Have spent quite a long time today viewing my garden from the bedroom windows trying to work out where I could put an arch! Think I'm going to have to stick to a wigwam!
Jools

Thankyou sooo much Supersprout. I went to the website for willow and hey presto! Received an email today to say that there is some available (willow and hazel) and if I cut it myself it's for free! Can't quite believe it. Just waiting to hear back about dates. If anyone else wants to come a'choppin' the areas are Godlaming and Cranleigh. I've got a picture in my mind of cucumbers, squash and pumpkins all clambering up fantastic willow/hazel structures oh not to mention my 8 year old son! Sarah Raven eat your heart out! Will let you know dates. Jools you're not too far away are you?

You're welcome Weavie, please post some photos of your structures when they're up

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SSx
not every situation requires a big onion

Violababe, may I ask which other small squashes you've chosen, please? I'm keen to do something similar this year so I can fit in more squash and we saw this technique looking very successful at Wisley this year. Unfortunately my favourite squash is Marina di Chioggia which is a bit hefty for training! We didn't mind Uchiki Kuri last year but I'm wondering whether there is something more like Marina di C (very heavy fleshed, and very tasty) that I could try in addition this year, which has small enough fruits. I've not grown butternut squash because I've always found bought ones a bit indifferent but am prepared to be convinced especially if anyone can recommend a particular variety.

Buttercup squash is like M de C, but even more so! Sweet, dense, smooth, small to medium sized fruits. It's also similar to Crown Prince in flavour and texture. Chums have recommended Sweet Dumpling, which I'm trying for the first time this year, Buttercup will be a staple every year.

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SSx
not every situation requires a big onion

Have just got dates for Willow cutting and the first is Friday 19th Jan 10am in Godalming. If anyone's interested let me know and I'll post further details. I've spoken with them on phone and apparently there are some up to 14ft tall. Hazel cutting isn't until March.

Hi Bugs,
I don't know much about growing squash. This is going to be my first attempt but I have read about two other small types: 'Munchkin' is recommended by Sarah Raven as a good small squash to grow up a wigwam and I saw a type called 'Sweet Lightning' in the 'Organic Gardening Catalogue' that is the size of an individual meal. I have ordered seeds of SW but haven't founds seeds of 'Munchkin' yet.

Brilliant idea--willow cutting. may have to see if I can get a day off!!!
Quite fancy using them for structures. Could they be used for bean supports?

Hi Weavie
Yes, I'm interested! What do we need to cut willow??? Scissors, axe, machetti?
Jools

The most important thing to bring along is a thermos, then secateurs, folding saw perhaps, some loppers whatever you have that's sharp and can cut stems. The ranger has spares if need be. I only have loppers so am taking those. Wellies are advisable or walking boots. They have also said to bring lunch if you've got a lot to cut or get chatting! don't see why willow can't be used for bean supports, it's one of the supports I plan to make. Be great if any of you can come!

Wish we were near there Weavie, we'd love to come along, but its a bit of a trek from deepest darkest (and wettest) Manchester, and looking at the link it doesnt look like there's anything similar happening round here, oh well, back to the drawing board!

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Blessings
Suzanne (aka Mrs Dobby)

'Garden naked - get some colour in your cheeks'!

The Dobby's Pumpkin Patch - a blogspot work in progress!
Last updated 26th November2008 - more new piccies!

i tried munchkin from sarah raven last year.they were very easy to grow.i put them on metal wigwam which wasn't high enough so the rumbled on and ended on grounds.they tasted good but the drawback for me was the very hard skin that i couldn't peel unless i boiled the litle pumpkins.i don't think i will grow them this year.An article in a garden mag 2 years ago featured the garden of a photographer called Derek st romaine,him & his wife grow ukhi kuri on ropes attached to metal posts as edging to the garden .the same poles have climbing roses in spring.it loked wonderfull and very inspiring.g

I can.

How to get a new willow tree.
Take one saw and one crowbar.
Cut a six foot length of willow.
Make a one to two foot hole in the ground using the crowbar.
Insert the cut end of the willow branch in the hole.
Backfill / firm out any gaps.
Leave to root and grow.

If you feed your beans lots of manure etc, then water them as runner/french beans like to be watered, you may find you have some willow saplings by the end of the season.

Hazel is much better.

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Unless, of course, you stick them in the ground the wrong way up.

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Kris

I child-proofed my house, but they still manage to get in.

Muddy Musings - a blog

Brilliant idea goddess, thank you

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SSx
not every situation requires a big onion

Hi Peter - yep that's true re: willow growing. Do you know how to stop it sprouting - is there something you can paint on to stop them there roots from taking root?

Typical. Spend much of my time trying my best to get things to grow & here we have something free, within a reasonable travelling distance and the only problem is we DON'T want the bloomin' things to grow. What do you think Weavie, should we wait for the hazel?

Thinks.......what if you put tape round the bit that goes in the ground?