I used to grow my squash on the ground, and train the vines to stay in a neat row (well, as neat as squash can be). Not anymore, I designed and built a DIY squash arch to tame my squash, and now I have a wonderful piece of architecture in my garden too.
Squash is a bully in the garden, and it will take over if you don’t control it. Now that I have my squash arch, the squash in my garden grows vertically, and it’s so much easier to control in my small vegetable garden plot.
How To Build A Squash Arch
The metal garden fencing alone isn’t strong enough to hold up heavy squash around the top of the arch.
So we (my husband helped me with this project) came up with a design that uses PVC piping to support the fencing over the top of the arch.
To make the arch tall enough, we needed two pieces of PVC pipe for each side. We glued them together using a special PVC glue and then weaved the PVC into the fencing.
Once the 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 paint it before you plant any seedlings so they don’t get sprayed with paint.
Also, it’s better to paint the squash arch after you put it up. If you paint it first, then the paint will get scratched when you start to move the squash arch around. Be sure to use a plastics spray paint too, so that it sticks to the PVC.
My squash arch in the garden
Growing Squash On A Squash Arch
Many people are afraid to grow squash vertically because it’s so heavy. But, most of the squash sit on top of the arch. If any of them start to hang down, I put them back on top.
The heavy squash can also be supported by making a sling out of an old t-shirt or nylons to support their weight as they mature.
My favorite types of squash plants to grow on my DIY garden arch are Sugar Pie Pumpkins, Butternut and Delicata. But any type of winter or summer varieties will work, as long as they are climbers.
Related Post: How To Pollinate Squash By Hand For Maximum Production
My squash arch with pumpkins growing over it
Amazing right? Who knew squash could be so beautiful! I’m super excited about this arch, I absolutely love it! So many people rave about it, and it’s the focal point of my vegetable garden.
It has made squash plant control very easy, and the squash no longer takes over the garden. It also makes harvesting the squash a breeze, since I don’t have to bend down and hunt for it.
If you love my unique DIY squash arch design and want to build your own, click the button below to download the detailed squash arch 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 loved my squash arch project, and want even more step-by-step vertical gardening projects, then my new book, Vertical Vegetables: Simple Projects That Deliver More Yield In Less Space is just for you! In it you will learn all about vertical vegetable gardening, and get detailed step-by-step instructions for nearly two dozen unique and beautiful vertical gardening structures and supports designed by me! Order your copy today!
Learn more about my book: Vertical Vegetables.
More Posts 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.
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.