I know that some vines, like summer squash and cukes and gourds can be grown up trellises and such. But what they heck to you do about the bigger stuff like winter squash, pumpkins, cantelope and watermellon {slobber slobber...mmmmmmmmmm, my favorite.....)? I'd like to grow ALL of it but space right now won't allow it. Any of you guys want to share your ideas?

Hi Charlene,

I can't give you any really great ideas because I share the same problem. What I usually end up doing is planting them in a raised bed and then letting them wander out and take over the lawn. It doesn't hurt the grass and that makes one area I don't have to mow.

Charlene.....
I've put on my red cape and am here to save the day!!

I remember reading about someone who used pantyhose as a 'sling' to hold up pumpkins (probably small-med. sized) on a fence or trellis. As soon as the fruits appeared, they tied the pantyhose around the trellis and tucked it under the fruit. As the fruit grew, the pantyhose stretched and held it up until harvest. Of course for bigger fruits, you may want to get the 'extra stretch' panty hose! I haven't had a chance to try it but am planning to this year. I think it's a great space saving idea - and a great way to use up nylons that have runs or holes.

Here's another pantyhose idea - the knee high nylons are a great way to save your sunflower seeds from getting all eaten up by the birds. Just put a knee hi over the head of the sunflowers you want to save for seed. The seeds will still mature under the knee hi, but the birds won't be able to get at them. Usually one or two heads are plenty to save for next years crop and the birds get to enjoy the rest.

Happy growing!!!

I grow them on trellises, fences, and lately I grow them on an arch. The larger melons (and pumpkins and squash) I have to support when they set fruit or they will elongate and drop off early, but smaller melons and other cucurbits do just fine. I like to put a mat of growing medium here and there in the arch for the vines to have additional roots...just in case, and I grow them over so they can tip root in the soil on the other side. I use the concrete reinforcing wire panels (You can usually get remnants for free from concrete yards)

I've grown Delica winter squash on a concrete wire trellis without any slings to support the squash since they are fairly small. I've heard of putting the somewhat larger ones(3 to 5 lbs grown) while young, into old pantyhose and tying the pantyhose to the fence. I only grown cucumbers on a trellis, they produce a lot better and are easier to pick that way.