This discussion has been closed.
Posted by veggieAl (U14716249) on Wednesday, 8th December 2010
I'm going to grow courgettes next year for the first time and would like your advice please!
As we all know, courgettes like to ramble around as they grow, but is it really just wishful thinking to expect them to climb?
I have a plot 2m x 1.5m and I'm hoping to grow a couple of cougettes at the back of this with maybe a butternut squash or two in front.
If the corgettes would be happy climbing a stout frame at the back I think I may get away with it!
Do some varieties climb better than others or should I let them spread over the entire plot and try the squash on the compost heap?
, in reply to message 1.
Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Wednesday, 8th December 2010
I carried out this very exercise last year and it was a success. I may have popped a couple of snaps on the 'page'.
For each courgette I was about to plant I constructed a pyramid of 3 strong canes tied well at the top and added a couple of cross braces about half way down (or half way up)! Planted a single courgette at the base and just kept tying the growing plant to one of the canes ensuring the string did not 'pinch' the plant stem.
I kept tying the plant in every foot or so. I had grown courgettes in the normal fashion and found this method saved space, you didn't 'come across a marrow', and the bees found the flowers easier. Go for it,you have nothing to lose but your marrows! Cheers, Tony.
P.S. Going to try sweet potatoes using this method next year.
posted by carl
hi veggie al
you can obtain cougette seed from thomson and mogan black forest that i have grown upright for a number of years very successfully
carl
Thanks Tony...mind made up!
The back of my patch has an 18" high terrace wall, facing south which should give a bit of warmth and protection to get things started. Got lots of old timber pulled out of skips so I'll make a trellis type thingy on the back and west facing side....how high do you suggest?
Shame about the marrows...I was SO looking forward to watery marrow stuffed with even waterier mince !
Thanks Carl, I'll look out for those.
Not sure where my seeds will be coming from this year. I was most disappointed with my T&M catalogue this year. The last time I had one was in 'pre-internet' times when it had their entire range to tempt me, rather than just a selection!
Last year most of my seeds came from Wilko's as they're such a bargain!Even with free postage and 'first £5 free' a lot of the mail-order suppliers seem pricey in comparison..though there is far more choice of varieties....long winter nights perusing websites ahead I think!!
, in reply to message 4.
Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Wednesday, 8th December 2010
Mine started from a two foot raised bed and finished off by the frost at about five and a half foot. So a six or seven foot construction should do it. Heres to success. My variety was just a bog standard courgette. Cheers, Tony.
, in reply to message 1.
Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Wednesday, 8th December 2010
[IMG]/IMG]
I hasten to add, the building behind is a bungalow. Cheers, Tony.
, in reply to message 7.
Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Wednesday, 8th December 2010
[IMG]/IMG]
Try again. Cheers, Tony.
, in reply to message 8.
Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Wednesday, 8th December 2010
Anyone care to try and tell me why I cannot see the picture? Cheers, Tony.
Because, Tony, the website says it has been deleted. A bit like your DIY coldframe!
, in reply to message 10.
Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Wednesday, 8th December 2010
But I just found it on my photowhatsit page and tried to move it across, or whatever the correct computerspeak be ! Cheers, Tony.
Try finding the pic[s] on your Photobucket page, copying the image link then pasting it into your reply on this board. More info here...
, in reply to message 12.
Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Wednesday, 8th December 2010
Did all that and the 'title' of the picky is there. Here's a snap of one of my raised beds as a 'speriment.
[IMG]/IMG]
"The struggle goes on. Cheers, Tony.
Whoops! Try again. You CAN do it.
Tony, maybe it's a bit chilly for your photos to germinate!!, but thanks for trying.
7' sounds impressive! I'll have to look out for some recently sold houses. . . . 'For Sale' signs make very useful support posts and estate agents never bother to collect them
Al.
, in reply to message 15.
Posted by hypercharleyfarley (U7444019) on Wednesday, 8th December 2010
Hello again Al - just to let you know that estate agents don't make/fix/collect For Sale boards. That's usually the job of an independent company employed by the estate agent. One company will produce & "do" the signs for all the agents in a given area. Cheers! Ma.
p.s. perhaps I should explain that I work for an estate agent ............... (OK - I'll duck for cover right now!)
As long as someone keeps supplying me with fence-posts I don't care who it is, Ma!
I'm sure your sins will be forgiven!!
You don't as aspire to be a traffic warden do you??
Wow what did you feed it on Tony.
If you want to see Tony's pics press the reply to this message under his entry.
Alternatively Tony if you can take off the IMG bit at the beginning, the pics can be seen.
Like this...
Well done, Oldends!
Blimey that IS an impressive courgette, Tony !!
Me thinks I'll give this idea a whirl next year. Shall have to watch the height, though, as we are close to both Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Already have to put red warning lights on top of the runner beans.
Hello - May I drop in a word in favour of climbing veggies? As a 'newbie' to the site I've been watching from the sidelines for some time and say thanks for all the tips I've gleaned. As a residential boater for 20 years my garden has been 'alternative' in many ways - just to confirm I've also had success with climbing courgettes, they seem to love the view from on high - and do try the sweet potatoes they were a wonderful success as well. Good luck with both. ;-p
, in reply to message 23.
Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Thursday, 9th December 2010
How I have constructed my raised beds. Just to confirm removing the [img] before ansd after works. Fingers crossed. Cheers, Tony.
Who's a clever boy, then. Knew you could do it. Reckon you could also make that cold frame that you were talking about on a much earlier thread.
, in reply to message 24.
Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Thursday, 9th December 2010
A squillion thanks Oldends. Cheers, Tony.
Welcome to the new Gardening Board. If this is your first time, then make sure you check out the
or  to take part in a discussion.
The message board is currently closed for posting.
Weekdays 09:00-00:00
Weekends 10:00-00:00
This messageboard is .
Find out more about this board's
Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú © 2014 The Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.