Squash in buckets.

pilotman1966

16 years ago

My wife and I started some summer squash seeds using peat pellets. Now the original intention was to grow these in 5 gallon buckets, however this has been a subject of debate. Our questions:

1. I put 2 seeds per pellet, and she says we have to remove one of the sprouts per pellet. I say these two are fine and can be planted as one plant.

2. I say 5 gallon buckets are fine, one plant per bucket and there will be plenty of room for the roots, and the plant will just vine down over the side. She claims this won't work. We'll have to use a trellis or something. Or grow it in the ground.

Growing it in the ground is not an option. We have a fat clay with very little topsoil. That attempt failed last year.

Thanks for the help.

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Comments (3)

engineeredgarden
16 years ago
5 gallon containers are not gonna be ideal for the squash plants. 18 gallon totes with good drainage will be much better.

EG
jojosplants
16 years ago
Hi Pioletman,

Your wife is right about needing to remove one. When the plants get big they will be fighting for food, water and light.

Cut the extra one off so you dont tear up the roots on the other.

You will also need to carefully cut away as much of the peat pellet webbing. It will stay like it is and be hard on the roots.

I've grown plenty of squash in a 5 gallon with no problems.

JoJo
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bumble_doodle
16 years ago
I've done it both ways - 1 zucchini plant per 5 gallon bucket is now my standard. I hang my buckets from iron plant hangers which are then secured to a fence for added support. The buckets end up about 4-5 feet off the ground and it allows for easy harvesting. My original intention (growing vertically) was to thwart a wiley woodchuck. Now, I just prefer having the additional additional real estate in the garden.