Caged Squash

By

susanmajp

This is the reason I read these posts: for the helpful and appreciated tips. Thank You! I've just had to pull my squash plants due to rotting and bugs, and wish you had posted this tip in the spring. Can't wait to try it next year!

By

Beth

Cages do work great with cucumbers too.

By

CrafterMary

To the one who asked if the squash had to be trained up into the cage...no, I don't remember having to do that. I may have pushed a leaf or two inside without thinking about it, but it pretty much grew straight up once the first few leaves were inside the cage's first level. To the one who mentioned that radishes planted nearby would keep squash bugs away, THANKS! I'm putting that into my gardening plan for next year right now! To everyone, thanks for the nice comments, I'm so glad you enjoyed the tip. I'm always looking for more ways to squeeze a few more plants into my garden while still keeping it easy to care for. I've found so many good ideas on ThriftyFun, thanks for all of YOUR ideas, too!

By

kimhis

Way to go!

By

sfs

What a great idea! I'm going to try it on cucumbers next year and see what happens. By the way, about 25 years ago I learned that if you plant radishes with the squash or cucumbers, and leave the radishes in the ground through the season, you won't have trouble with squash bugs. Worked for me. Of course, the radishes are not fit for eating by this time.

By

FirstCobber

Now, that works ! Plus, if you have a smaller garden you can plant around the bottom easier. Thanks for sharing. Lori

By

Yodergoat

That is fantastic! It is so disheartening to just begin getting a good harvest, only to find the plants beginning to wilt from the squash bugs the next day! This idea will go into effect next year for sure... I love vertical growing since I have a small garden.

One question, did you have to guide the plant up into the cage at all?

By

Jilson

Definitely going to file this one away for next year! Thanks for a great idea!

By

Nallorey

Thanks for the wonderful tip!! I will be using my tomato cages and trying this next gardening season, it seems like a perfect way to control the sprawl of these wonderful plants too! Thanks so much, Nallorey

By http://brooklyndahlia.blogspot.com/ (Guest Post)

What a great idea! My zucchini has engulfed my small patch this year. I know what to do next year. Thanks for sharing!