Exceptional squash, you won't be sorry you grew CP :)
Yes, it is a big plant.
I wouldn't climb it to grow up (eek!) but last year's CP found an old bed frame and grew up it fine last year.
Some ideas to minimise squash 'footprint':
Grow upwards. If you like CP you could try Buttercup - even more delicious, but because they're smaller, a little less scary to walk under
Pinch off growing shoots to make a more bushy plant i.e. without the long leader
Train the long leader along paths, under bean poles - i.e. using 'vacant' or 'wasted' growing space among something tall so that the leaves shade the soil and keep it moist for all
Train in a circle with U-shaped ground pegs. You'll need to re-peg every 3 or 4 days, but it's well worth it. If you do this, put in a tall marker stick when you plant out the seedlings; if you want to water them in drought (I don't) you can see where to water. No kidding! 8)
