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.
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 squash or summer squash varieties will work, as long as they are climbers.
Related Post: How To Pollinate Squash By Hand For Maximum Production
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!
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 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.
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.