| Author |
Garden Gate:  Growing zucchini  |
|
|
princesspatches
True Blue Farmgirl
431 Posts
arttie
iron mountain
michigan
USA
431 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 09 2011 : 06:10:21 AM
|
The Zucchini in my garden is HUGE....And I am so excited. But the large leaves are shade over other plants. My Hubby wants to trim the large leaves at the top of the plants.
Has anyone done this? I feel we should just encourage them to grow in another direction. Any ideas?
Thanks
Arttie |
|
|
walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2011 : 06:23:30 AM
|
I've never heard of trimming the leaves, so I'm interested as to the responses you get!!! My pumpkin, squash, and cucumber plants are INSANE and I'd love to prune them back but still get good yields. I've already gotten a TON of cucumbers...
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
|
 |
|
|
LadyInRed
True Blue Farmgirl
6740 Posts
PeggyAnn
Vancouver
WA
USA
6740 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2011 : 12:13:28 PM
|
I trimmed back my leaves last year and it increased the productivity. But I did it in late August. I think when the leaves
get so big they keep the sun from getting to the blooms and thus slows down growth. Only talking from personal experience.
blessings,
peggy
Farmgirl #1326
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
http://pegsmiles7.wordpress.com
"I'm only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair-spray I use and the Girlfriends that I have."
When I was a lonely wallflower, Jesus asked me to dance. Then he asked me to be happy, to be passionate, to Be His! |
|
|
|
chickenladycris
True Blue Farmgirl
77 Posts
Cris
Prairie Farm
WI
USA
77 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2011 : 4:05:19 PM
|
Have you thought about training your zuchinni to grow up something? I train lots of my squashes, melons, etc., to climb up trellises. I've made them out of cattle panels (or hog panels), chicken wire attached to the wall, heavy duty string or rope tied at an angle and pegged into the ground near the vine, all sorts of things. If it's a light vine, like a pickling cucumber, I've even used the commercial little trellis thingies you can pop into the ground. It really helps control the vines, and lets plants nearby get enough sun & water.
"A farmgirl can never have enough chickens!"--me |
|
|
|
oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2011 : 5:08:28 PM
|
I have tied up with string my heavy/large leaves on plants, and that works well, if you cut off zuc leaves, you will end up with a hollow tube on the branch which will allow insects easier access, and if your plant is blosoming it can cause shock, and it will drop the flowers...
in the future, give your sqaush plants twice as much room as you think they need...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
Edited by - oldbittyhen on Jul 09 2011 5:09:59 PM |
|
|
|
princesspatches
True Blue Farmgirl
431 Posts
arttie
iron mountain
michigan
USA
431 Posts |
Posted - Jul 10 2011 : 07:27:18 AM
|
I think I am going to put a small piece of trellis or fencing as a barrier and encorage them to grow in a different direction.
This is my first year with sucha large garden and our weather has been doing wonders for my growth. I have been taken by surprise how well everything is growing. All my plants are huge and doing really well. We went to Menards yesterday and starting buying jars for canning.
I am so excited everytime I go in my garden. Can't wait to plan a bigger garden next year. I started kind of small so i wouldn't get overwhelmed, but now I have a "wish" lis for next year.
Arttie |
|
|
| |
Garden Gate: Growing zucchini |
|
Growing zucchini
