It will work. These are my pumpkins and corn from last year. The pumpkins were started between the two rows of corn, as you can see , the pumpkin plants will really sprawl out. I started the pumpkins first and then the corn two weeks later.

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Here is a link that might be useful: Win Free Garden Stuff

I was wondering the same thing, except with winter squash instead of pumpkins. Also, I plant my corn in blocks, rather than rows. This is better for pollination as well as a space saver. I actually plan to grow the squash near a fence to the north of where the corn will be. I will grow up the fence, but I know it will sprawl into the corn as well. I hope butternut is not the monster than many squashes can be.

Kay.

I thought of trying this too to save space. I was concerned however, that the pumpkins or winter squash (butternut) would not get the sun they would need. I had heard that this had been done for years by early pioneers and maybe even indians, so I'd figured it would work.
I would love to see more pics of this method though!

The Indians, in their 3 sisters (corn, beans, squash) method, planted the corn in hills (clusters) spaced 3 or 4 feet apart. That allowed the squash to get enough light.

It looks as if the pumpkin vines in mignightgardener's garden are running toward the light. BTW, those are great pics. Nice garden.

Don't underestimate the amount of space a couple of pumpkin vines will occupy!

Jim

midnightgardener,

Have you had any problems with the pumpkins wanting to climb the corn?

Justaguy; no I have not had any problems with the pumpkins trying to climb the corn.

Here are some pics from the start. I ended up with 10 pumpkins, the largest was 17lbs (ghost rider from burpee).

The pumpkins are in between the two drip lines on the left side of the photo. If you look real close you can just barely see the corn sprouts. Photo taken 04/01/08.
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Photo taken 04/26/08. The plant to the right of the corn and pumpkins is yellow crookneck squash. Even with the pumpkins going into the squash I still harvested enough squash to freeze several bags, in fact we were starting to get sick of squash!
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Photo taken 05/01/08. You can see the pumpkin toward the middle of the row starting to sprawl past the corn and toward the squash.
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Photo taken on 05/19/08. You can see the pumpkin is sprawling out of the garden onto the yard and going onto the squash.
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Photo taken 06/24/08.
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And a photo of some stuff I harvested.
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I did a sq.ft. version of the 3 sisters garden last year, and the pumpkin did really excellently. The beans were little stubby things... but it turns out I planted bush beans- not pole beans!!

I planted a 4x8 box of corn, and put 3 pumpkin plants spaced inside of it among the corn. It took off out the sides and all over the grass, but made quite a few pumpkins for the deer to enjoy eating :(

Great photos, thanks so much! That's very helpful. Well... I will try it this year and let you know how it goes!