Growing Zucchini

[Mind_your_head]

Can I train zucchini to grow up a twine trellis? I planted two zucchini plants 10 days ago in my raised bed and they are bushing out so much I wonder if I should move them somewhere else before it's too late. I had planned for them to go UP a twine trellis I have in the rear of the bed however, the zucchini seem to have "other plans". Maybe you can't make them go up and it was just wishful thinking on my part? :shrug:

Thanks for any good squash advice.

[sazemisery]

1. I have used tomato cages (smaller than normal)

and grown squash. They did quite well that way. You will have to use something to tie them with for support.

Edited due to Dan Quayle spell checker

[Mind_your_head]

2. Thanks for the advice

That's a good idea using the tomato cages. That should prevent them from taking over the space of the other veggies in the raised bed. I sure wish they would climb up (like cucumbers do), but I don't see any of those tendril-grabbing things on the zucchini - lol.

p.s. lol@Dan Quayle spell checker

[Gormy Cuss]

3. Are they at the outer edge of the bed?

If so, a trick that I've used is to put an additional cage or other support outside of the bed and train the branches in that direction--- a cheater's way to expand the overhead size of the bed.

[Shoelace]

4. I have to hand pollinate my squash this year

the last 2 years, none of my squash got pollinated here in Oregon. No bees!
So, this year, I added alot of compost, etc., and plan to hand pollinate in hopes of at least getting some edible squash.
My plants never got to the state where I had to support them. Good luck with your Zucchini!

[LiberalEsto]

5. Look for Agastache seeds.

Also known as Korean mint. Bees adore it. Plant them somewhere in your yard -- not directly in the vegetable garden because agastache re-seeds like mad. If there are any bees around, they'll show up in your garden.

Hope it works.

[Shoelace]

6. thanks, good idea!

I've planted plenty of Sweet Allysum in hopes that this will draw what's left of the bees to the garden. We are in the city and it's far worse here than in the countryside. I've got some mint growing but it's not Korean so will definitely look for those to plant.

[LiberalEsto]

7. Seed source for Korean mint

http://www.tsflowers.com/html/agastache.html

I just googled agastache seeds, and this is one of many sites that came up. It's also known as anise hyssop. The entire plant smells wonderful,like licorice, and makes a pleasant tea.

[Shoelace]

8. ah yes, tried to grow it once

but the slugs got to the one plant that I bought. Thanks so much for the link, I'll order from them - reasonable prices too!