Pattypan summer squash + climbing beans together in containers

[Nibbler]

Hello!

I want to grow some patty-pan / scallop summer squash together with some cobra beans (climbing french / haricot style) in containers.
Consistent advice seems to be to put 4 bean plants to a 45cm pot. The containers I want to use are 30l(?) flexitrugs, I think they are about 45cm wide and 30cm deep. How many beans do you reckon would be happy in a container of this size with a patty pan? I haven't grown patty pan before but I have grown cobra beans and courgettes, both were pretty vigorous. I'm thinking I could get away with 2 x beans to every 1 x patty pan. Ideally I'd like to get 3 beans in there but I don't want my crops to suffer.

Thanks!

[Dane End Dolly]

To be honest, i would not really put anymore than 2 beans in there, Pattypans are hungry feeders and it is better to have less plants and more crops (must remember to take own advice ) Good luck and let us know how they work together in the pot

[ginger ninger]

I wouldn't advise on any more then 2/3 beans to a pot if it's sharing it with a squash. The nitrates the beans give off will help with the growth of the squash, so expect a squash plant with plenty of nice green leaves.

[Nicos]

Hmmm...I'd go with 2 beans too.
They'll need lots of watering and feeding in a pot that size though! ( maybe morning and evening)

Cobra are lovely- I'm growing them again this year!

Pattipans get heavy if you leave them to get to a nice size-I presume you're going to let them rest on the ground?...good tip is to lift them off the ground slightly so there's a bit of airflow beneath them. (Dry straw/piece of wood/brick for eg)

[Nibbler]

I'm wondering if I should just keep them seperate now... it's just that space is at a premium in my patio garden, not to mention the cost of compost.
I haven't eaten or grown patty pan before but I thought I'd give it a go because I do really love squash, I was planning on harvesting them when they are quite small and tender, for frying or stuffing. I'm growing some potimarron for storing. I will start collecting squash props though just in case I change my mind!
I grew Cobra for the first time last year as an experiment next to some Blue Lake, I'll never go back they are gorgeous!
Thanks!

[Nicos]

...give it a go...go on!!!! ...you know you want to!!!!

[Paulieb]

Would this work with other tyes of beans too.....broad/dwarf/etc?

[Nibbler]

oh go on then... maybe I'll post some piccies later so you can see how i'm getting on

[Nicos]

Would this work with other tyes of beans too.....broad/dwarf/etc?

I'd say not...although I'd be happy to be proved wrong!!...(possibly a broad bean ??)

The idea is that the climbing beans have their leaves above the height of the squash plant- and so don't compete for light

[Paulieb]

I'd say not...although I'd be happy to be proved wrong!!...(possibly a broad bean ??)

The idea is that the climbing beans have their leaves above the height of the squash plant- and so don't compete for light

Cheers. Got some yellow french beans about 4 inches high at the mo, so can chuck them in with some mini Balmoral Squashes. Will keep the broad beans separate.

[pottymarigold]

Interesting forum. I'm growing veg for the first time ever this year. Need advice, I have at my disposal a 1meter square raised bed 40cm ish deep including soil underneith.I can also get some pots. I have seeds for patty-pan custard whites, courgetes, sutton dwarf broad beans, barlotta beans and polestar runner beans. I just don't know what to plant where and with what and how many for the best use of space and decent crops etc. I can buy some pots but don't know what size to get or again how many?please help as I'm desperate!

[Two_Sheds]

patty-pan custard whites, courgetes, sutton dwarf broad beans, barlotta beans and polestar runner beans

They are all fine together, you don't need to worry about "which with what"
Courgettes/squash are BIG plants, aim for a square metre for each.
Beans: about 9" apart

pots ...don't know what size to get or again how many?

Look at the spacing above ^

Start your seeds off in modules or 3" pots. They can go outside into their permanent homes after you've hardened them off and after your last frost

[pottymarigold]

Hi. I have two 45 litre pots at my disposal. I have some broad beans (sutton dwarf), runner beans, borlotti/climbing french beans, courgettes and patty pan squash growing in smaller pots and i was wondering whether I could transfer some in to these to bigger pots? I do have a 1 metre square raised bed as was going to sow lots of salady things but could use that as well if I don't have enough pot space?

Thanks for the advice Two sheds. Are patty pan squash really big? Should i just plant one in the centre of my 1metre raised bed do you think? Or plant my beans in the raised bed and then use a pot each for a patty pan and a courgette?