Trellising squash not only looks amazing, it’s a great space saver. In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to grow squash vertically, give you tips and techniques for training the vines, tell you the best varieties to use, and how to choose the right plant supports for them.
Squash grown on the ground can quickly overtake a small plot, and many home gardeners don’t have enough space for them.
Even so, some people are too nervous to trellis them because they worry the vines are too large and heavy. But the good news is that any type of climbing squash can be grown vertically!
Growing squash on a trellis or other vertical structure helps to keep this bully from taking over your vegetable beds. And that means that even those of us with small garden plots can plant it!
It’s much easier to control the unruly vines, and it looks pretty amazing too. These fast-growing climbers will quickly cover a structure, and the fruits look so cool hanging down.
Is Squash A Vine Plant?
Before you decide whether growing squash vertically is something you want to try in your garden, it’s important to understand that not all types will make good trellis plants.
Very broadly, there are two different kinds: vining varieties and bush varieties. Vine varieties will climb a trellis, and bush types (sometimes called patio plants) will not.
So, it doesn’t matter whether you have summer squash or winter squash, pumpkins or gourds. From butternut to spaghetti, kabocha to acorn – any kind can be trained vertically as long as it’s a vining variety.
Does Squash Need To Climb?
Squash needs to climb if you don’t have a lot of garden space at home. You can train them to grow vertically on a trellis or other support.
But it does not always need to be trellised. Climbing varieties will do just fine along the ground without any support, and many gardeners leave them that way.
However, most of them get very large, and can take over pretty quickly. Trellising squash is the best way to contain these long vines, and keep them from getting too wild.
Growing Squash Vertically
Any type of vining squash can be grown vertically. But it’s important to keep in mind that the largest climbers (like huge pumpkins and gourds) get very long and heavy.
In fact, some of these giants become so large that farmers have found pumpkins growing in the tops of trees! So be sure you know how tall the plants will get before you decide to trellis them.
Those monster vines I mentioned are not very practical for training vertically, and are best for large veggie plots or farm fields.
Benefits Of Growing Squash On A Trellis
Not only does trellising squash look gorgeous, it’s also beneficial for the plants and your crop. Getting the leaves and fruit up off the ground can protect them from pests and disease issues.
Fruits sitting on the ground can easily be eaten by bugs or animals. Plus, when soil splashes up on the leaves, it causes problems with fungus and disease.
Growing squash vertically also means your crops will be cleaner, and they won’t have an ugly yellow spot on them (which is what happens when they lay on the ground).
Related Post: When & How To Harvest Squash
Best Types Of Squash To Grow Vertically
Like I mentioned above, there are two basic types of squash plants: vining varieties that will climb on a trellis, and bush varieties that won’t.
By now you may be wondering how the heck can you tell the difference? Well, you can’t tell by just looking at the seeds or the seedlings. So be sure to always check the seed packet or plant tag to know for sure.
A few of my favorite types of climbing squash to grow vertically are Sugar Pie Pumpkins, Butternut, Jack Be Little pumpkins, and Delicata.
Related Post: How To Pollinate Squash By Hand For Maximum Production
Choosing Supports For Trellising Squash
There’s no doubt that trellising squash is not only beneficial, it’s beautiful too! Choosing the right support will not only add an architectural element to your garden, it will ensure your vines will grow safely, and look their best.
The most important things to think about when choosing a support are the height and strength of the structure.
Before you decide what type of support to use, you should know how large the plants will get to pick the perfect structure for them.
How Big Do Squash Vines Get?
Squash vines can get anywhere from 3-4′ long, all the way up to as big as 20+ feet tall. Like I mentioned above, the largest ones (like giant pumpkins and gourds) can grow to the tops of trees.
The height can vary greatly though, and it totally depends on the variety you choose. A good rule of thumb to remember is… the smaller the fruit, the shorter the vine.
Always be sure you check the plant tag or seed packet so you know how tall yours will get. That way you can pair each type with the perfect sized support.
Related Post: Female -vs- Male Squash Flowers: How To Tell The Difference
Squash Trellis Ideas
Once you know how tall they will get, that will make it much easier to choose the right type of support for them.
They need to be supported by large, strong structures that can handle their weight. The vines will become very heavy once the fruit starts to mature. So, if you plan to grow squash vertically, be sure to use a strong support for it.
A large structure like an arbor, a heavy-duty a-frame trellis, or a pergola would be good choices for the larger varieties. If you prefer a DIY project, try making your own squash arch.
The smaller ones can be trained on a strong trellis, a smaller a-frame, or even a lean-to style support. That way, you can plant shorter crops like salad greens or radishes underneath it.
How To Grow Squash Vertically
One common question I get from readers is “How does squash grow vertically?”. Excellent question!
The stems themselves don’t wrap around the trellis, they send out side shoots that are called tendrils. It’s these tendrils that will wrap around anything they touch, including a support.
A common concern that people have when growing squash on a trellis is that they will get too large and rip from the vine.
It’s true that large fruits hanging down from the plant may need extra support so the weight doesn’t damage the vine.
You can make a hammock out of an old t-shirt or pantyhose, then tie it to the trellis to loosely cradle any dangling ones to support their weight.
In all the years I’ve been growing squash vertically, I’ve never had to give any of the hanging ones any extra support. But it’s definitely something to keep in mind if you want to try larger types, like gourds or pumpkins.
Related Post: How To Can Squash
How To Trellis Squash Plants
Another common question I get asked is “Do squash plants climb a trellis?“. The short answer is yes, but… in all honestly, they really aren’t great climbers by themselves.
Gravity is fighting us, and the heavy vines prefer to sprawl out horizontally rather than climb vertically (they are a bit lazy that way I guess).
So you will definitely need to train them to grab onto the structure. Don’t worry, it’s not difficult, it just take a bit of extra planning.
How To Train Squash Vines
To train unruly squash vines, you can simply weave or tuck them into the trellis. The tendrils will eventually grab on by themselves. Be careful though, young vines are very delicate.
Since they’re so heavy, you will likely need to tie them to the support. I recommend using plant clips or cut-a-size twist ties since they are easy to remove and reuse. But you could also use flexible ties or twine if you prefer.
Just be sure to tie them on loosely, so they won’t get strangled as they get thicker. Once the tendrils grab onto the trellis on their own, you can remove the clips or ties, and then reuse them to attach the new growth higher up.
They grow fast in the heat of summer. So check them every few days, and train new vines as needed to keep your squash growing vertically. Get detailed step-by-step instructions for training vines here.
Growing squash vertically is beneficial to the plants and to your garden. Trellising squash means that even gardeners with small spaces can plant these large vines. Plus, since it looks so gorgeous, it really makes a statement in the garden!
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 Grow Cucumbers Vertically On A Trellis
- How To Trellis Peas In Your Garden
- How To Trellis Grapes In Your Home Garden
- The Amazing Benefits Of Vertical Gardening
Share your tips for trellising squash, or tell us how you prefer to grow squash vertically in the comments section below.
Kristi says
What is the spacing for squash when growing on a trellis?
Amy Andrychowicz says
You can space them a little closer together than what they recommend on the seed packet/plant tag for your specific variety. As long as you train squash vines up the trellis rather than letting them sprawl along the ground, they don’t need quite as much space.
Onni says
Hello Amy, I appreciate your post on trellising squash,but I am wondering about vining squashes. My garden is on land terraced with drystone walls about 7 feet tall, and I’ve seen people’s butternut squashes hanging over their tall retaining walls.
My question is, do vining squashes do this on their own, or do they need to be encouraged to do this? Will their vining tendrils grab on to the rough stone edges?
I would like to grow loofah squashes and also costata romanesca zucchini-type varieties.
Thank you!
Onni
Amy Andrychowicz says
If you plant them at the top of your retaining wall, the vines will naturally hang over the wall for sure. However, if you plant them at the bottom and want your squash vines to grow up the wall vertically, then you’ll have to train them. Here are step by step instructions for how to train vines.
Chuck says
How would summer or crookneck squash do on a trellis? Persian cucumbers are outstanding on a trellis. Would like squash, but not much room and last year letting them go in a planter was not that great.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Crookneck squash would work great on a trellis!
Fran B says
How do you prevent your summer squash from falling off the stem ?
Amy Andrychowicz says
The vines are strong enough to support the weight of the heavy fruits, so the trellised squash won’t fall off. If you have concerns about larger ones, you can try giving them extra support by running a piece of fabric or nylon underneath, and tying both ends of it onto the support (kinda like a hammock).
Julie says
Do you find you can plant your squash closer together when they’re trellised, or do you still plant them 36” apart?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, you can plant your squash closer together, since they will be going up the trellis rather than sprawling along the ground.
Beth says
I live in a state that gets hail throughout the summer so I need to be able to protect my plants. I also have a small yard and would like to grow squash, but due to my yard size, need to have vertical structures. Do you know of any way to protect plants while growing vertically?
Amy Andrychowicz says
Growing squash vertically won’t make them anymore susceptible to hail damage. Unless you can put some kind of screen over the top of the entire garden, or maybe covered the plants with sheets during a hailstorm, then there’s really no way to protect it from potential damage.
Dave says
Hello Amy,
Will Crown Prince squash grow vertically, I can’t find if they are vine or bush 🙂
If so any idea how high they will grow?
Cheers,
Dave
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yes, I believe that Crown Prince squash is a climber, and gets very large vines. So, you could definitely try growing it vertically, but make sure to use a large and very sturdy trellis.
Jessica Kehler says
Very informative post! Thank you! Does Spaghetti Squash grow vertically or horizontally, and if it does grow vertically, what would be the best support for it? Arch, lattice? I’m looking forward to my first crop!
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome! Yes, spaghetti squash grows vertically on 8-12ft long vines. The squash will get pretty heavy when ripe, so use a tall and strong support for them. An arch or sturdy lattice would work great.
Jill Luettgens says
I was wondering if you can use poultry netting instead of the larger holed fencing that you show. Will the vines still be able to attach to the 1″ or 3/4″ openings of the poultry netting? Thank you.
Amy Andrychowicz says
I’m not exactly sure what poultry netting is, but if it’s like chicken wire… then it could work. But no, the posts won’t fit through the small holes in chicken wire.
Jill Luettgens says
Thanks Amy. Yes, I would say chicken wire is poultry wire- it has the 1″ or 3/4″ hexagon openings. I was just going to use zip ties to hold the fencing to the PVC. I just wasn’t sure if I the squash needed the bigger openings to grab a hold of. That’s why I was asking. 🙂
Amy Andrychowicz says
Actually, now that I think about it more… chicken wire wouldn’t work because it’s not rigid enough to keep the arch from collapsing.
Ginger says
How many plants are growing at the bottom of each side of your arch?
Amy Andrychowicz says
A couple plants on each side.
Ginger says
Thank you!
Joe todisco says
First year trying the arch. I have zucchini and early summer squash. I’m using lattice for my arch and vines are still to short to train ( stuff grows slower in Montana). Do you think the lattice will work?
Amy Andrychowicz says
I think the lattice will work fine, as long as it’s sturdy enough to hold the weight of several squash. The vines can get pretty heavy when they’re full of squash. Zucchini plants don’t usually vine out very much, they tend to grow in a more bushy form. So, the zucchini probably won’t grow up the arch like other varieties of squash I have listed above would.
Joe Todisco says
Thanks Amy, I will let you know how it goes/grows :-))
Brigg Franklin says
Not sure what kind of zucchini plants you grow but last year by the end of summer my several zucchini vines, from one plant, were six feet long and laying all over the place. My current zucchini is already reaching out in several directions. What variety do you grow?
Amy Andrychowicz says
If it’s growing vines like that, then it could be easy to train over the arch. Wait until the vines get a few feet long, then gently pull the vines up onto the arch as I show in the photos above. You’ll have to keep training it to grow on the arch throughout the summer. 🙂
Brigg Franklin says
I now have cucumbers on one side of my arch and zucchini on the other. The cucumbers are going up the arch great, but the zucchini wants to go in every direction with four new vines. Do you grow zucchini on your arch and do you prune off the wayward vines that head out in the wrong direction? Two of them are headed in the general direction of the arch. Each zucchini vine is so thick that trying to redirect/move them is proving impossible. Suggestions? 🙂
Amy Andrychowicz says
Zucchini plants don’t usually vine out very much, they tend to grow in a more bushy form. So, the zucchini probably won’t grow up the arch like other varieties of squash would. My favorite varieties of squash to grow on the arch are Sugar Pie Pumpkins, Butternut and Delicata squash. Those vine out better, and will quickly cover the arch.
Valeria says
I’ve not done it myself, but I’ve seen people grow zukes “vertically” by training the this stalks up a central pole buried in the ground near the plant. They basically tie it up as it get bigger like a topiary
Elaine S says
Last year, on a whim I put a leftover tomato cage over a zucchini bush. Best. Idea. Ever! It trained the zuke completely upright and the zucchini grew nicely from the middle also sticking straight up. Stayed clean, no bugs, easy to spot them, no “surprise” giant zukes.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Awesome, sounds like a great idea for bush varieties!
Jackie says
My cantaloupe just started up. Making an arch this weekend to see if they will grow on it rather than all over my garden. Will do the same with Acorn squash when it goes in at the end of July.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Sounds awesome!
Brigg Franklin says
today I finished my squash arch using the very nice instructions on the PDF file from your site. Rather than threading the PVC through the wire fencing I used nylon cord from my big-box store to tie the fence to the PVC ribs. We’ll see how strong that is when the vines start to grow up the trellis. I have pictures on my Facebook page.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Yeah, that’s great to hear! Sounds like you made a great modification, hope it works for you! I would love to see the photos.