skip to main content

Pumpkins, Squash & Gourds

Question re Protecting Squash with Gravel

14 years ago

Hi folks,

I recently saw a video in which a man was displaying his butternut squash crops. I noticed that his plants were surrounded by gravel/pebbles, on which the squash fruit was growing, without contact with the soil. Is this done deliberately to prevent mold damage, etc, to the squash fruit?

Also, is this an advisable method? And very importantly, should it be done with watermelon, canteloupe, or pumpkin??

Appreciate any help with the matter.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

Macmex
14 years ago
I wouldn't do it. I spend enough time digging rocks out of my garden without adding them! Generally, I don't have problems with my vine crops rotting when exposed to the soil. But if I want to get them up off the ground I use either small pieces of wood or empty, upturned tin cans (like a tuna can).

George
Tahlequah, OK
missingtheobvious
14 years ago
I've used upside-down plastic microwave-type bowls to raise cantaloupes off the ground. I punched holes in the bottoms so the cantaloupes wouldn't sit in rainwater.

Related Stories

MOVING Hiring a Home Inspector? Ask These 10 Questions

By Christine Tusher

How to make sure the pro who performs your home inspection is properly qualified and insured, so you can protect your big investment

GARDENING GUIDES Protect a Precious Resource With a Rain Garden

By Bruce Parker

Promote pure water and a beautiful landscape with a garden design that makes the most of the rain

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 5 Gravel and Stone Types for a Rockin' Landscape

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Give your garden design some textural bam with pebbles, granite, river rocks and other permeable materials

FARM YOUR YARD Houzz Call: Home Farmers, Show Us Your Edible Gardens

By Stacy Briscoe

We want to see where your tomatoes, summer squashes and beautiful berries are growing this summer

GROUND COVERS Ground Force: 10 Top Ground Covers for Your Garden

By Carol Bucknell Garden Design

Protect your soil from weeds and drought this summer with a living mulch of ground covers

GARDENING GUIDES Garden Myths to Debunk as You Dig This Fall and Rest Over Winter

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Termites hate wood mulch, don’t amend soil for trees, avoid gravel in planters — and more nuggets of garden wisdom

EDIBLE GARDENS Garden BFFs? Why Your Vegetables Are Begging for Companion Plants

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Foster friendships among plants for protection from pests, pollination support and color camaraderie

PETS See a Deluxe 'Catio' Built for Feline Fun

By Becky Harris

Sixteen lucky cats get the run of a protected outdoor patio with ramps, steps and even a koi pond

CURB APPEAL How to Reseal Your Asphalt Driveway

By Christine Tusher

Protect your driveway and keep it looking great by applying new sealer every couple of years. Get the details here

SAVING WATER Houzz Call: Are You Letting Go of Your Lawn?

By Annie Thornton

Many facing a drought are swapping turf for less thirsty plantings. If you’re one of them, we’d like to hear about it

Sponsored

More Discussions

Summer squash seeds producing winter squash

1