Separate planting for different squash varieties

[ChodeParticipant]

Hi Charles

I am going mad on squash this year, and have between 2-6 specimens each of 8 different varieties to plant out on my allotment. Aside from trying to work out where I am going to try and fit them all in, and how I am going to grow them vertically (my cunning plan to try and fit them all in), I was wondering if different varieties can be interspersed and grown side by side – or should they be separated to their own beds, in case cross pollination means that the fruit doesn’t stay true to the parent plant? I know you are supposed to separate sweetcorn, but not sure about squash.

Thanks

Chode

[charlesModerator]

No worries about that Chode, it is only the seeds which are cross pollinated (as with sweetcorn but we eat the seed) so feel free to mix them and have fun with multi-level growing, I hope your plot has some shelter.

[ChodeParticipant]

Thanks Charles – have planted out the first batch under a temporary cloche/poly tunnel type thing – there has been quite a cold wind these last few days, plus some torrential showers, so thought they would appreciate some protection. As I mentioned, I am planning to grow them vertically as much as possible, but somewehat perplexed at how to achieve this – both in terms of the strength of the support, and the cost of the supporting materials. Would a bamboo wigwam be strong enough?

Chode

[charlesModerator]

Bamboo is too weak, think of the weight of your lovely squash. I have only seen it in other gardens, not sure what to advise, any other tips?

[SuellaParticipant]

I live in the Loughborough area but don’t know how relevant this location is. I have built a sturdy bean frame with chicken wire and allowed squash to climb up part of this. Would the elevation of the vines be counter indicated for the ripening of squash generally? Or are we far enough north that the idea might not work well?

It is a nuisance removing all the bean vines at the end or the season and I’ll probably find the same with the squash vines, but hoped to have your opinion on the practicality of saving space in this way.

Thanks for any comments you can make,
Suella

[WelliesParticipant]

I was wondering this too.
I would like to save the seed from our pumpkins and squash but was told that if I grew them together they would get cross pollinated and the saved seed wouldn’t grow true.

You could use hazel sticks for your supports. Find a farmer with a hedge like ours with hazel that was cut a couple of years ago and has now grown thick long stems. These work well, and then I fire them through the wood chipper when they get weak.

[CMDHHParticipant]

I am growing 2 plants from saved seed of Flat White Boer pumpkin. Neither looks like its parent or the other. The Real Seed Catalogue has a good illustration of this: http://www.realseeds.co.uk/breedsquash.html

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