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
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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.
Annabella says
I love this! Just got hubby to make me an arch and have planted heritage butternut squash around it, with a few sweet peas for good measure. Can’t wait for them to grow. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Amy Andrychowicz says
How fun! Hope the squash will grow beautifully to cover your arch. 🙂
The Snowbound Gardener says
Hi Amy, I got a big fat hedgehog in my yard ( named Murray ) and he cleaned me out of squash last year. I too built an arbor this winter ( yet to be erected ). I have a 8×5 foot roof after a 5ft climb up…Hoping to grow 6 Winter Squash ( 2 Acorn, 2 Delicata and 2 Red Kuri )
Amy Andrychowicz says
Oooo, that sucks! I had a chipmunk last fall that was a major pest, but I can imagine a hedgehog would be way worse! The squash will do great on your arbor! You’ll just have to protect the bottoms from the hedgehog, and the rest will be safe off the ground! Brilliant!
Megan says
The squash arch is beautiful! I’ve thought back on this longingly a few times since I first saw this post wishing I had the room to do something just like it.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awe thanks! I hope you’ll find the space to build one of your own someday! 🙂
Klara says
Love this idea for squash arch, Amy! I`ll try to make one this weekend, wish me luck!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Good luck, and have fun! 🙂
Julie Ford says
Do you plant anything else in the planter with the squash?
Amy Andrychowicz says
I do succession planting in my raised beds. So, I start by planting early crops like lettuce or spinach under the arch. Then I plant some nasturtium around the edges of the boxes at the same time as I sow my squash seeds to add summer and fall color to my beds.
Jessica says
I’m So Glad I found this! My gourds and Squash take over my garden! I cant wait to try growing my squash vertically this year. I just happen to have some left over PVC from other projects. I’m going to also grow my beans and Cucumbers the same way.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome, have fun building your squash arch! 🙂
Lori Neumann says
I built my arch last spring and am thrilled to say my vines are going crazy! So far we have 4 sugar pie pumpkins and two acorn squashes growing, and lots of flowers on the spaghetti squash plant but no fruit yet. Here’s my question though – when the vines grow over the top and down the other side do you just let them grow along the ground? My husband said we should just chop them off but… We appreciate your advice!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Woohoo, glad to hear your squash arch is growing well for you! I always train the vines back up onto the arch, but you certainly could just let them grow along the ground or prune them if you want to.
Josh B says
Amy,
This is wonderful. I built my own this weekend and I am very excited for this growing season.
I have skimmed through this entire post and comments and I have a question about something I am unclear about:
Will I be able to grow more than one variety of squash on this arch? For example, could I grow acorn, butternut, and summer all on one arch?
Also, would winter squash (spaghetti squash) work on this (my wife and I are currently debating this)?
Thanks again for posting this.
Amy Andrychowicz says
You can grow any type of squash that is a long, vining type plant (avoid bush varieties). Yes, you could mix different varieties and grow them on the arch at the same time. BUT, squash plants do tend to get cross-pollinated. So you might end up with some weird hybrids if you grow them all that close together. And yes, you can grow spaghetti squash on the arch (as long as you don’t have a bush variety of the plant).
Augustine Rhodes says
What a great idea! I am going to try it and let you know how it works. Also, do you think I could try something like this for my cucumber arch? It would be cheaper for me than using cattle panels.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Sure, you could try it for cucumbers too. I like to use these smaller arch trellises for my cucumbers… Easy Homemade Arched Cucumber Trellis
Amanda Jensen says
Amy, I too live in Minnesota, I would love to do a arch like this, but my question is which direction should a trellis like this be positioned? I worry about things behind it not getting enough sunlight… So I haven’t done one yet… Any advise? Thank you!!!!
Amy Andrychowicz says
Humm… good question. I’ve never thought about that before. I’ve never noticed stunted growth of the plants around my squash arch. But, to be safe, I think you should be good if you face it to the south/north so that it casts a smaller shadow.
Amanda Jensen says
Thank you for your response Amy! I am going to give it a try this year!
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome!
luci says
Love it! We are working on a new property that needs tons of work. We ar working the soil now with organic compost inside our fenced chicken area. They run free in about a acre space. i am wanting to give them shade I think this might be the perfect solution and fun for the kids too! Thanks for sharing
Amy Andrychowicz says
Great idea! You’re welcome.
Ellie says
What an awesome idea. I love how you give explicit directions! You take the time to answer all questions. Great blog!!!! Glad I found you. You make me look forward to gardening???????
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome, thanks!
Janet Vinyard says
Very attractive way to handle squash – well done! Blessings, Janet
Amy Andrychowicz says
Thank you! 🙂
Debbie W. says
Love this. A good way to keep the weeds out and we had to give up our garden with my mom being ill. Maybe this will work.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome, hope it works for you!
Helen Cano says
What a wonderful idea. I use to grow pumpkins up the front of my mobile home to help shade the house. Now Im thinking of putting an arch over my entry ramp. I was thinking cement reinforcement wire with a thicker pvc. I love the thought of editable landscaping. If I dont use the whole roll I can make tomato cages oit of some of the rest. Wow thanks for the inspiration.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Sounds great! You’re welcome, good luck!
Claudia says
I love this and it has given me an idea. I live in a little 4-plex and have a small patio. I’m going to try putting an arch at my gateway, with BIG pots on each side for the cukes, beans, and maybe something else. That way, it should look nice and I’ll be able to harvest easily.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Sounds awesome, good luck!