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Courgettes in containers???
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Message 1.Â
Posted by noosoo (U14468879) on Sunday, 16th May 2010
Hi all. I'm new to gardening and have decided to grow some veg this year. I have made 3 raised beds 8ft x 3ft each. I read somewhere that courgette plants each need 1m square. Can they be grown in containers and if so how big would it need to be?
Also any advice on butternut squash - I have 4 very healthy looking plants. Do they take up a lot of space or can they go in containers too?
Many thanks
noosoo -
Message 2
Posted by londonplantmad (U2392946) on Sunday, 16th May 2010
I do not know about squash, I have grown courgettes in old wooden fruit crates. They like a good rich compost and plenty of water. If you are going to use a tub or pot i would say at least a 12 inch one for each plant. The leaves grow very big and the plants get quiite heavy. Each one needs about a square metre to spread.
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Message 3
Posted by Saravisiae (U2247962) on Sunday, 16th May 2010
You can also grow courgettes in growbags. i've done this- 2 courgette plants per growbag.
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Message 4
Posted by Vixxihibiscus (U13865184) on Sunday, 16th May 2010
Hi Noosoo,
I hav never grown Butternuts on pots but I have with Courgettes. They grow fine in them, you just need to keep them well watered.
I bought flower buckets from Morrisons...8 for 99p one plant in each, drill some drainage holes in and off they go!
Good luck! -
Message 5
Posted by Tee Gee (U10012255) on Sunday, 16th May 2010
I read somewhere that courgette plants each need 1m square. Can they be grown in containers and if so how big would it need to be?Â
Yes! 8"-12" (20-30cms)diameter
Do they take up a lot of space or can they go in containers too?Â
These can grow in containers too but the will grow to around 6ft (2m) high if you grow them vertically in which case they might blow over in an exposed area.
If allowed to grow across the ground they will grow to the same length, but at least you can move the vine to where it bests suits you! -
Message 6
Posted by treechange (U14126469) on Sunday, 16th May 2010
Yes and if on the ground you can pinch out the growing tip after a couple of fruit have formed (wait a while for this as they sometimes drop of). The vine will then start branching and you get fruit from these branches as well - becomes more compact like this!
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Message 7
Posted by Lokelani (U8896212) on Sunday, 16th May 2010
Just snagging for the last bit of advice.
I grew them last year in very large containers but didn't try pinching out any bits!
Will try it this year. -
Message 8
Posted by wendy park (U14317814) on Sunday, 16th May 2010
Hi which bit do you pinch out the very end leaf and when is this done as never done this before.
many thanks
wendy -
Message 9
Posted by thevodkarose (U13048111) on Sunday, 16th May 2010
My prefered method of growing pumpkins and squashes is in the ground and letting them sprawl with a little encouraging to grow into wherever there are gaps for them.
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Message 10
Posted by treechange (U14126469) on Monday, 17th May 2010
Lokeleni and Wendy: I was referring to pinching out on pumpkins, NOT courgettes!
If you want to grow pumpkins in containers or a small space without the ‘rambling’ then you can get bush pumpkins like ‘Golden Nugget’. They grow a similar size to courgettes (bit larger) and have many small pumpkins. It’s getting a bit late to sow though, we’ll need a good hot long August for success on seed sown now.
As to the pinching out: this is my preferred method on butternuts, even though they have plenty of room to ramble on my allotment. My sister gave me this tip, which she got from her Mexican neighbours when living in California in the 80’s. It works well
for me here in Europe as well.
After two (3 if it’s doing really well) fruits have set well (be patient on this) pinch off the growing tip about 2 feet further along the vine. What this does is send all the water and nutrients to the pumpkins only, which then grow and mature more rapidly (no they are not more lilekly to crack this way). If it’s a good season then the pumpkin produces more vigorous side shoots along the length of the vine which will also produce fruit, pinch out after one fruit. This method produces good sized pumpkins and contains the growth to a certain extent. -
Message 11
Posted by joanne (U14429175) on Monday, 17th May 2010
this is my third year of growing courgettes i grow mine in the big builders buckets one per bucket, they grow brilliant I've got 4 in my greenhouse at the moment doing well joanne
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Message 12
Posted by Lokelani (U8896212) on Monday, 17th May 2010
Right, shall not pinch out my courgettes then!
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Message 13
Posted by Mithranstar (U14439116) on Monday, 17th May 2010
I am growing courgettes, squashes and pumpkins for the first time this year, on my balcony in pots.
I'm aware that there probably won't be enough space for the pumpkins (eventually) and have somewhere downstairs I can move them to if required, but was wondering if anyone can advise me about the squashes? I have "Yellow Scallop" squashes, and whilst my courgettes and pumpkins are already scrambling around in their little pots, the squash are still upright so i'm wondering if they might be a climbing variety (or at least one thatr won't object to growing on a trelis)? Any one have any ideas?
In addition, I was pondering planting my courgettes in a fairly tall container (I have some "Long toms") and letting them sort of cascade over the edges - do you think they might cope with this (i'm growing "All Green Bush courgettes"? -
Message 14
Posted by treechange (U14126469) on Monday, 17th May 2010
No scallop squashes are are a nice little bushy thing. They don't climb - unless they don't have enough light that is.....
All members of thye squash family do need lots of sunlight to do well .....you really can't fudge on these plants, sun, sun, sun! -
Message 15
Posted by Mithranstar (U14439116) on Monday, 17th May 2010
Thank you, treechange, for that info. They should get plenty of sunlight at the north end of my balcony.
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