Topic: Planting squashes in a muckheap

[Hepsibah]

I have two Crown prince squash plants hardened off ready to plant out but I'm nervous. I'm planning to plant them in a heap I've made consisting of a pile of weeds dug out of my beds covered with a foot or so of three year old deep littered sheep muck out of a barn. I'm told it should be fine by the no dig folk but I only have two and don't want to lose them. I love Crown Prince squashes. Help!

[Tee Gee]

I always grew my Pumpkins this way and as Squash are of the same family I don't see any problem!

This is how I grew my Pumpkins:

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Content/P/Pumpkin/Pumpkin.htm

Click on the photos to enlarge them!

[ancellsfarmer]

Fully agree with Tee Gees advice but would only add:

Consolidate the heap to maximise water holding ability
Fully control slugs
Insert twiggy sticks to prevent the developing stems 'whiplashing' if windy conditions occur in the first month.

[gray1720]

My parents used to grow squashes in the muckheap, which consisted of years of excavatings from the goatshed, and must have stood about four feet high. I think they'll be OK!

[Deb P]

I don't plant my squash out until June, but your compost heap sounds fine!
 I grow mine upwards and use a polytunnel frame to drape them over. Just protect the stem at all costs, try a cut down milk carton or water bottle if you can get one, something wide enough it can stay on the whole season and a physical barrier to slugs and to protect from wind rock as already suggested, I usually mark it with a cane so you know where the plant is for watering and feeding reasons as once they get going you wont be able to tell where it was planted!

[George the Pigman]

Yes they do well on muck heaps. Lots of moisture retentive material and nitrogen. I remember when we had  a holiday in the mountains of Andalusia many years ago there was a muck heap near the house we were staying and it was full of squash and pumpkin. I don't think they were sown there deliberately. They probably grew from discarded seed from the kitchen when preparing the squashes.

[ThomsonAS]

The downside to growing crops on your heap is that you can't turn it - but if that's not a problem for you, go for it.