Cukes/pumpkin/melon leaves overtaking my garden

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janet59 Brampton, Canada Jul 23, 2008

I am growing squash, cukes, melon and pumpkins in my first garden, and the leaves are growing to a monstrous size (also flowering with big yellow flowers... is that good or bad?) and starting to shade my small plants - peppers, carrots, tomotoes. Have I foolishly overcrowded? Is there any way to control the growth (staking?) This whole experiment started because my neighbour gave me two cuke plants, though he warned me that his cukes and pumpkins are taking over his garden. Its been wonderful to grow veggies, but I think I was abit too random in placement. Any advice for now and especially for the fall? Thanks

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RJ_Hythloday Norfolk, VA(Zone 8a) Jul 23, 2008

I have the same problem, my wife started them in containers and used labels that washed off in the rain. the best I could do was plant similar looking leaves together. I am thinking about cutting some of them back. I weeded yesterday and took runners that were spreading to other plants and put them back on top of the original plant.

I'll be waiting to see what any one else says about this over crowding.

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David_Paul Clinton, CT(Zone 6b) Jul 24, 2008

Every year I read about the need to space plants properly and every year I don't. The garden looks so empty in late May it always seems that 18" or 24" is more than enough space. And every year it isn't.

But it will be OK, Janet59. Better to have things in the dirt growing than not. You can always cut back. I would make sure that peppers and tomatoes get light as they need all they can get. I do have a few tomatoes off to the side in shade. The lack of sunlight makes them think its fall. They get serious about setting and ripening fruit. My earliest tomatoes are in the worst areas. Crop isn't as big but its there.

Believe it or not, there are cukes and squash hidden in this tangle:

Thumbnail by David_Paul
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