I originally designed this squash arch for my garden way back in 2010. It turned out even more beautiful than I imagined, and it’s been the main centerpiece in my veggie patch ever since.
It’s also become an internet sensation, with hundreds of thousands of shares, and tons of people have built one of their own! If you want to add one to your garden, below I’ll give you exactly what you need to make your own.
How I Designed This Squash Arch
When I first set out to design this project, the biggest challenge I had was constructing an arch that would be strong enough to support the vines once they became heavy with squash.
I knew I wanted to use metal garden fencing, but that alone isn’t strong enough to hold up, especially around the top of the arch. So I came up with a design that uses PVC piping to support the fencing.
To make it tall enough, I needed two pieces of pipe for each side. I glued them together using a special PVC glue, and then weaved them into the fencing.
Once my squash arch was up, I spray painted the PVC black to make it look like metal. You can paint it any color you want, be creative.
Just make sure to use a plastics spray paint, and do it before you plant any seedlings so they don’t get sprayed with paint.
Planting Your Squash Arch
My favorite types of squash plants to grow on my arch are Sugar Pie Pumpkins, Butternut, and Delicata. But you could choose any variety that you want, as long as it’s not a bush-type.
Once you have your arch set up, you can plant your squash on the inside or the outside of the arch, that doesn’t matter. I have mine in a raised bed, so I plant the squash on the inside of the arch.
And, if you’re not a squash person, you could grow any type of vining, climbing plant that you want to on this arch – it doesn’t even have to be a vegetable.
Amazing right? Who knew squash could be so gorgeous. I’m super excited about this arch, I absolutely love it! So many people rave about it, and want to make one for their garden.
Well, the great news is that you can get my detailed step by step instructions to learn exactly how to make one!
So, if you love my unique DIY squash arch design, and want to build your own, click the button below to download the full plans and instructions today!
Interested in building your very own Squash Arch?
Click the “Buy Now!” button to purchase your step-by-step instructions.
Building A Squash Arch – Step-by-Step Instructions
If you’d like to learn how to make the most of your space and get as much homegrown food as possible, then my Vertical Vegetables book is perfect! It will teach you all you need to know, has tons of gorgeous photos, and includes 23 DIY projects you can build for your own garden. Order your copy today!
Learn more about my Vertical Vegetables book here.
More Posts About Squash
- How To Trellis Squash For Growing Vertically
- How To Grow Winter Squash
- How To Grow Summer Squash
- When & How To Harvest Squash
- How To Hand-Pollinate Squash For Maximum Production
More About Vertical Gardening
- How To Make Sturdy DIY Tomato Cages
- How To Build A Pea Trellis Arch
- 20 Excellent Trellis Plants For Your Garden
- 15 Types Of Vertical Gardening Systems & Supports
- How To Build A DIY Greenhouse
Leave a comment below and let me know what you think of my squash arch design.
Aisha says
Hi there,
I’ve not worked with PVC pipe before. Is it flexible and bends easily? I’ve heard of people having to pour hot water in the pipes to get them to bend to make the arch. How did you do that?
Amy Andrychowicz says
It’s flexible and will bend easily, as long as it’s not frozen.
Karli says
This may be an obvious question, but do you grow on both sides, or just one? Would you recommend growing squash on one side, and another vining plant on the other? Thanks so much!
Amy Andrychowicz says
I plant squash on both sides of the arch. When the vines meet at the top, it looks much fuller. But you could certainly mix it up and plant squash on one side and something else on the other side of the arch.
Kara says
Love this! I built my arch w 4’ cattle fencing. What is the spacing you use between your squash plants on the arch? It looks densely populated but typically they recommend 2-3’ spacing for squash plants. Thx in advance!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Since they’re growing vertically over the arch, you can plant your squash a little closer together than you normally would if there were on the ground.
lisa says
Any thoughts on how I can use 2 8′ long cattle fencing panels to make this type of structure? That’s a VERY sturdy fencing.
If I leaned them together in an A shape- would that work? (it would be 8 feet high then)
Thank you!
Amy Andrychowicz says
8′ isn’t going to be long enough to create an arch of this size. However, with longer pieces you could follow my cattle panel arch trellis tutorial here. Otherwise, if making an a-shape with them works for you, and it is sturdy enough, then that would be fine too.
Samantha says
Looks great. I’m worried the arch will sag in the middle once the squash grow that far. Is there any extra support needed for the middle of the arch?
Amy Andrychowicz says
If you use my exact design, then the arch will be plenty sturdy enough to hold up to even the heaviest squash. I’ve grown lots of types of squash on it, even pie pumpkins, and it’s always held up just fine. 🙂
Paula says
Hi, I love this idea! I don’t have enough space otherwise to grow pumpkins.. but I was wondering if you are using a smaller pumpkin variety (jack be little or baby boo) could you grow one of each plant from either side of the arch for them to meet at the top? or would that be too much weight?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Those are sugar pie pumpkins growing on my arch in the photos, and yes, they are a smaller variety. One on each end works great, I’ve never had a problem with it becoming too heavy.
Cele says
Would this work with 36″ wide fence instead of 28″ or do you think that would make it unstable?
Amy Andrychowicz says
For best results, I recommend following the instructions exactly. I haven’t experimented with different sizes for my squash arch, so I can’t say for sure if your modification will work.
Jackie Marfleet says
I love the idea! Would it be a problem on a windy allotment site? Would orientation of the frame help at all?
Amy Andrychowicz says
I haven’t never had any issues with my squash arch being blown around by the wind. But you could use taller stakes on each of the corners to reinforce it in your windy garden.
Jaswinder Kaur says
Very useful article with beautiful Images.
My squash vine is close to fence, so I’m giving support with it.
Still learning other ways to give support.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Thank you! The fence sounds like a great way to trellis your squash plant. 🙂
Meg says
Hi Amy, is this trellis in your new book?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Hi Meg! No, I didn’t put my squash arch in the book. I wanted all of the trellis designs in the book to be fresh and new! 🙂 There is another large arch in the book, which would work just as well as this one, but it’s not the same design.
Jill Luettgens says
Have you had any problems with the PVC getting too hot being painted black? I live in PA and we have some pretty hot summers.
Amy Andrychowicz says
No, I haven’t had any problems with the arch getting hot because of the black paint.
Jill Luettgens says
Thank you- looking forward to trying to make this squash arch in my new garden.
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome!
Allergicmom says
What direction do you have this face? Wouldn’t the sides of the squash arch be shaded? I’m curious how this works with light and want to try it!
Amy Andrychowicz says
It doesn’t matter which direction it faces because the squash vines will grow all over the sides and top of the arch and get plenty of sun from all sides.
Siobhan says
This is so cool – thanks for sharing!
Do you have a problem with the archway shading surrounding beds?
Amy Andrychowicz says
This is a very common question, LOL! Yes, the squash arch certainly can shade other parts of the bed. So, if that is a concern, it would be a good idea to monitor the sun exposure to see if there’s any impact. I personally have not had any issues with it, but it can depend on the layout of your garden.
Karen says
Won’t the squash just fall off once they hit a certain weight? It’s really beautiful, I just figure gravity would set in sooner or later.
Amy Andrychowicz says
I’ve been growing squash vertically for years, and I’ve never had a squash fall off the vine. Large squash like pumpkins and large gourds may need to be supported if they are hanging down and get really heavy. You can make a sling out of an old t-shirt or even pantyhose, and tie it to the trellis for extra support.
Marnie says
This is such a great idea! Thanks for sharing! Out of curiosity, what do you plant under the arch?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Thanks, glad to hear you love it! I put my squash arch over the path in my vegetable garden, so not much room for planting under it. But, in the boxes on each side of the arch, I plant an early crop of greens which will mature before the squash plants fill in. Last year I planted lettuce, and I also added several nasturtium plants for companion planting.
Laraine says
Do you think this would work with butternut squash as it is larger and heavier?
Wonder about just using a bot trellis and the mesh. by the way, What is the mesh? Wire? Where can get?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, this arch will work great for butternut squash, I’ve grown it on my arch before. The mesh is metal garden fencing, and you can get it here.