Since I am doing a square foot garden, I need to find summer squash that will grow up a vertical frame. The bush types are going to take up too much room (9 squares vs only 2 for the vine type). All the seed companies' catalogs I reviewed are very proud to say that all their summer squash are the bush type. Does anyone grow vining summer squashes?
Looking for vining type summer squash
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/56773/index.html. This is very popular with many in Daves Garden and is frequently discussed in the Vegetables forum. Actually vining butternuts are often used as summer squash. Acorns are not good but can be used as summer squash. The green house zucchinni is normally grown vertically, but I don't know how they do outside.
Farmerdill, thank-you so much. I had tried searching the database but had no success. I guess I will take the leap and try growing that strange looking squash. The feedback from others about Tromboncino is certainly positive.
I grew my romanesco zucchinni and trompocinos vertically, using a modified square foot garden method last summer. The "regular" zucchinni can be trained upwards, but it's a lot more work and they are a bit brittle and prickly to tie up. I'm going to use a tomato cage to assist the Romanescos climb this year. The trompocinos were easy to send up the trellis, very productive and very tasty.
"Early Summer Crookneck" - not a hybrid - makes quite a long vine, and has that old fashioned buttery flavor. Better than straight neck and better than some hybrids I've tried.
And what about your namesake, Kabocha? I grew those the year before last at the corner of my raised bed, and they climber right up the fence! But, I just reread Kate's request and see she's looking for summer squash! I just got so excited by your name and the reminder of a very wonderful growing experience.
Kate - I will send you a d-mail shortly...
Sequee -
I do love Kabocha, the texture is so fine and velvety. Last year I grew Sweet Mama kabocha. But this year I'll plant Black Futsu and Red Kuri from Heirloom Seeds. Also Greek Sweet Red and Thai Large Pumpkin. Never grew any of those before - a total experiment.
The Black Futsu and Red Kuri are on my list for this year, too - hope I don't run out of space first. ~:-) So many selections - so little space...