I've only used tomato cages turned upside down to keep my plants in close quarters - but still allowed them a 2ft x 2ft space to grow in. Besides, only 1 square foot of soil isn't enough for the plant roots to thrive - regardless of what the book says..

EG

Here is a link that might be useful: My square foot gardening blog

Thanks, EG. Allowing enough space for roots never occurred to me. I like your idea of using the upside down cages... That'll shave a foot 1ftx1ft off the growth space!

i wll ask mels when hear him speak Saturday march 12

I tried staking zucks for the first time last year. I also had an un-staked one in another bed to see the difference. The un-staked one took over 3x3 easily. In fact, it overflowed the edges of the raised bed. The staked one was 2x2. It was on the edge of the bed too so some of it overflowed.

The experiment was successful for me and I will be staking them from now on. I used a 4 foot T-post (which made it about 3 feet after I pounded it in). Definitely suggest putting the post in and THEN planting the zuck.

I used cut up panythose to tie the plant to the post and it worked well. I didn't have to tend it every day. I checked it maybe twice a week, especially during the time when the plant was growing quickly. Once the plant slowed down I only had to adjust the ties maybe every other week. By then I was picking fruit every day so it was easy to see when the plant needed attention.

One added benefit is that it makes it easier to see and get to the fruit. It also makes it easier to see bugs and get them before they damage the plant.

I may try the upside down tomato cage this year as an experiment.

As always, YMMV.

Hi Commgardener11,

I enjoyed growing my yellow squash staked upward last year. Momstar is who helped me find the original link about how to stake squash and zucchini.

Here is the link to our conversation last growing season . . . I posted some pics along the way that might be helpful too.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/sqfoot/msg0514444811976.html

Good Luck!

Amber

Oh and by the way . . . I wish I'd given each squash 2 squares or at least a space in between each one. It became more difficult to get to the main stalk and attach my pantyhose strips once the plants became so large. Don't forget to consider what is planted right next to them either. Those leaves will intrude well beyond that one square!

you can definitely grow black beauty zucchini in only one square foot...I do it every year and have pictures to show it. Grow it straight up and tied to a tee post at 8" intervals and you will be good...

Hey, EG! How do you keep your upside down tomato cages from toppling over? I just realized I put my cages in the regular way, and will need to fix this weekend. I browsed your blog pics, but couldn't tell how you do it... Thnx!

EG
I tried the upside-down tomato cage this year. It was wonderful!! I like staking them last year but the inverted cage is so much easier. I just made sure the first leaves were over the wire and as the plants grew I lifted the next layer of leaves over the next wire. Now they are upright and holding their own. I don't have to keep tying them like I did with the stakes.

I didn't have to anchor the tomato cages. Even with some pretty crazy wind the last few days, the weight of the plan is holding things down just fine.

I will continue to use the tomato cage method from now on. It makes it easier to grow yellow or zucchini squash in a 2x2 square. And it is easier to harvest too.