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Garden Gate:  My big zucchinis  |
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Sang
Farmgirl at Heart
5 Posts
Sangeeta
Chesterfield
Virginia
USA
5 Posts |
 Posted - May 15 2010 : 09:47:59 AM
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Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and to gardening in general. I have a small are for gardening in my suburban yard, so decided to try Square Foot Gardening, to maximize my space.
I only put in 2 zucchini plants (one per square foot) and they are clearly too close together. I built them a trellis hoping they would grow up, but instead they appear to be sprawling all over and about to smother everything in their path.
Do I pull one up and transplant it into a big pot and give it some more running space? Will this kill it?
Should I just get rid of these two and start seeds in pots? I think since I'm in Zone 7, I can still start them, no problem.
What do my new Farmgirl friends think??
Any advice would be appreciated.
Sang. |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2010 : 10:44:20 AM
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I would pull one up and just keep the other - you need about 8 feet for a big zucchini plant - and you will probably have all the zucchini you could use from one plant too. You could definitely still start them - I haven't even planted mine yet, and I always go from seed.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2010 : 2:44:49 PM
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We've planted zucchinis. I can't wait to eat them. LOL.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2010 : 5:12:55 PM
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They are my favorite!! So much food from one plant..
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - May 15 2010 : 8:36:51 PM
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hi girls, since zukes do not climd naturally you have to tie them up. if you tie them on the trellis the fruit and stems will get strong and hold them. you need to use a tie that will expand with the growth of the stem. you continue to tie them as they get longer. it does work. just a thought happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farmgirl #1014
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laurentany
True Blue Farmgirl
3259 Posts
Laurie
Patchogue
NY
USA
3259 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2010 : 7:58:44 PM
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Now you have me thinkin'... I planted my raised bed garden today too..
2 zucchini plants, about 4 tomato plants 4 cucumbers and 3 pepper plants with some marigolds scattered around the tomatoes. I'm hoping that my 2 zucchini have enough space. I guess time will tell...
Also ahd some beuatiful pumpkin plants that I started from seed- so I dug a small area right on the fron lawn where there is plenty of sun and will hope for the best. I am hoping that since the soil I planted them in is really "nice" that the vines will just scatter out onto the lawn and do well. Never grown them before but hear they are fairly easy to grow? Does anyone know if they will "take off" right across the lawn?
Thanks and Happy Planting
~Laurie
Farmgirl Sister#1403
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - May 16 2010 : 10:37:43 PM
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yes..the pumpkins will likely take right off across the lawn....I would move the vines where you want them as they grow..they are more flexible them. We love to grow them..but they do make you think where to put them..best place is near a fence to tie them too. I have made "slings" for bigger pumpkins.
As for Zuchinni..I give mine about a 4 foot square space and plant things like radishes and lettuce around them at first..as those are harvested the zuke will take over that space..never had much good luck tying them up.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2010 : 03:30:11 AM
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We can never seem to get enough!
Zucchini make for excellent grilling especially if you "sautee" them in a foil packet smothered in a little butter or olive oil.
It's for this wonderful veggie that I may take the plunge and actually buy a deep fat fryer. It'l be the death of me, but oh so good! Same for the okra
We are fortunate enough to have space to plant what we want. A few end up dying anyway, so we plant 3 seeds to a hill a hope for the best.
And it wasn't until very recently that I found out if you keep picking the zucchini while they are kind of small, they will continue to produce. When we get those monster ones, it signals the plant to shut down production. |
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Sang
Farmgirl at Heart
5 Posts
Sangeeta
Chesterfield
Virginia
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - May 17 2010 : 05:55:56 AM
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Neither my mother nor friends were particularly impressed by my decision to use up valuable space with zucchini plants, but they are so versitile! Not only do I love zucchini bread, but you can slice them open and stuff them, as well as slicing, breading and frying. Yum YUM!!!
Thanks for the suggestions. I am wondering if I can "train" the leaves to grow in one direction or just cut back the leaves that are endangering other plants.
Thanks for the tips on picking small. I didn't know that.
This probably won't be a problem for long...as the puppy gets older and doesn't feel the need to dig up my beds, I'll be able to use more of the yard and be able to plant pumpkin and watermelon as well.
Hope everyone is well.
Sang. |
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Garden Gate: My big zucchinis |
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My big zucchinis
