BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Container Gardening Question about squash/cukes in containers

Okay, these veggies need to be planted in "hills" when in a regular garden. What about if they're in a container? Can they just pretend that the container is a hill? I mean, a low container is sort of like a hill, right? Okay, I'm being silly, but seriously, do I need to make mounds within the containers, or can I just plant them straight in the soil?

I'm looking forward to this answer, also...

The reason hill plantings are recommended for these beans is to increase air circulation and drainage, and the hills are not technically necessary if you provide a means of both in another way. I would be careful not to overwater, and this includes limiting the benefits of rainfall as well by making sure there are plenty of drainage holes or some canopy protection. (I can see you putting up umbrellas over your container garden, Megan. lol) Air circulation is increased by staking and tying up the stems. I think you'll need to keep your beans tidy down there in the South to prevent humidity from causing mildew kind of problems. Tie them up and keep an eye on the water, and they should be okay, though. A lot of gardening is experimental. I wonder where the expression "Not worth a hill of beans." came from?

Now, where did I get the idea you were talking about beans? Anyway, it's the same with squash/cukes; the hills are for air circulation and water drainage. Since these plants tend to be large, include melons in this as well, they can get sloppy if they're sitting on themselves and lying in water. Then rot sets in, and you have a mess. Lift and separate. lol!

Thanks for the advice Mary Ellen. I'm going to try spaghetti squash in one of my 5 gal. pots.

You have nothing to lose. I've never grown that, so I'd like to hear how it turns out.

Then can I come to dinner?! I love spaghetti squash. It's an awesome substitute for pasta. It carries a nice tomato or meat sauce beautifully and really makes us low-carbers feel like we have all the comfort food we want.

I agree about the comfort of spaghetti squash. hehe

Yes, I'll let ya'll know how it works.

This weekend I planted lettuce and cilantro in one container and encased it in a tall clear plastic bag. I scrunched together the top and tied it to a thin bamboo stick I had positioned in the center of the pot before I planted. I cut 4 slits in the bag for ventilation.

It rained all night and it is still holding up.

Oh, boy, I hit the garden center hard this weekend! The poor nursery guy was trying to hold me back. He didn't want me to take half the stuff I waddled out with. He was afraid I was going to plant them outside---and it is too early here in zone 7. Never fear, I have a nice cool sunny spare room for these babies. No food plants, but plenty of decorative container plants for the weddings.

There sure are some nice varieties out this year!

I've grown squash just fine in containers, non-hilled.