Trellis for squash is perfect if you don’t have a lot of space to grow your crop

How to use trellis for squash and the design technique of espalier trellis to have hearty squashes

Squash are gangly and can grow all over the place. Squash growing has been popular since the invention of trellis for squash growing. Squashes tend to send their vines in all different directions with no consistency in sight. Squashes will dominate the garden and will spread their steams everywhere, so there is no room for other plants nearby. Squash plant stems will wrap around plants nearby, damaging their stems and strangling the smaller vines. Squashes, like pumpkins, are very big feeders. Adding compost to the soil will help promote the growth of bug hearty squashes.

Training the squashes to climb the trellis

Trellis for squash growing is perfect for those who don’t have a lot of space. Place the trellis facing the sun; you can then plant your squashes at the same distance apart from one another. It’s best to install your trellis for squash growing first before planting your squashes to avoid damaging the root system. As your squashes are going to grow upright you may have room in front of the squashes where you may wish to grow some smaller plants. This will give you double the chamber to plant with. If you want to be able to get access to the roots of the squashes, then don’t grow anything that will grow too wide or high but merely something small like flowers or succulents.

Once your squash has started gathering robust and healthy growth, you can then weave the vines through the trellis. If you find that you cannot get the stems to stay on the trellis, then you can use some plant ties to hold them in place until they have formed a grip and then gently remove the plant ties. You need to keep your squashes well fed and water plenty. The most valuable time to do this is when you have just started training them onto the trellis. Squashes on the ground have access to the ground where their vines can have access to extra water and nutrients in the ground. Growing up on trellis means the vines cannot source extra from the ground so make sure you keep up the water and feed.

Support for growing squashes

Small types of squash like the acorn squash don’t need extra support. Butternut and bigger variations of squash will require additional assistance. If left without the support the big squashes can put too much strain on the stems, and they can break off before they are ready. You can make a sling to hold the extra weight and support the stems by using some old stockings. These are thin and stretchy perfect material for making the sling. A sling for each fruit it quite easy all you have to do is tie the stockings to the trellis for squash growing and when the plant grows and matures the stocking will stretch and offer a hammock-like sling to support the weight. You can use an old towel or sheet but just make sure that you do leave some slack when trying to allow for when the squash swells.

Trellis for squash growing with a touch of espalier

Espalier is a reselling style. It’s an ancient but traditional French style of growing climbing and wandering plants in designs like arches and shapes. It requires a special pruning technique but it is very space savvy, and it’s something any gardener can do. Espalier trellis is not only great for a backdrop in your patio garden or along the fence for a little privacy but it also has its advantages as well. As the grower, you will benefit from the space you have by using design trellis. It is also safer using this type of trellis design as there is no need to climb high ladders to prune. No fruit will go to waste; sometimes fruit goes to waste when the tree is too high for the grower to reach. When using espalier with trellis for squash growing, you will be able to reach all the fruit, not just the low ones.

The trouble with pigeons

Birds love garden beds especially those that get well looked after with healthy moist soil. Pigeons will rip the leaves, scatter all the garden matter out of the garden bed and can damage your root system while digging. If a pigeon makes your house his home, there can be no getting rid of them especially if you have to feed them once before. Pigeons won’t attack your plants, but they will leave their droppings in your garden. Pigeons are dirty creatures and often carry diseases. They leave their excrements everywhere all over your garden bed which runs the risk of passing on the disease to the plants and soil. A pigeon’s droppings are poisonous and very acidic and will attract mice. Invest in some pigeon control as it’s not only your garden that is at risk but they are also harmful to our health and will cause problems when they nest in your roof or gutter. Feathers and excrement can block many needed nutrients from reaching the plants, and without control, they will just accumulate. Look into a barrier for pigeon control to stop them in their tracks and protect your much-loved garden.

There are many ways to stop pigeons:

• • Pigeon repellents
  • Audio and light deterrent
  • Install a pigeon barrier

The timeframe for squashes

Timeline for summer squashes to be ready is around 60-70 days after you have planted them and for winter squashes you are looking at around 70-120 days till they mature. If you pick squashes too early they will be very bland; they need to get fully ripe before picking. Trellis for growing squashes is simply to use; it handles all weather conditions; the trellis is sturdy and durable and eco-friendly as you can reuse it cycle after cycle.