Squash in containers?

[Hector]

I have an area behind a lock up shed that gets direct sun BUT it's on hardcore. I also need more space for squash plants! CHas anyone grown winter squash in containers? I am thinking of planting them in two foot deep boxes and trailing them up mesh against the lock up? Wht do you think? If it does work could I space them two to a 4'5  foot space as they have room to go up? Each contaner is just shy of 3 foot long...two foot deep and 2 foot wide?

ps varieties are
Red Kuri
Sgar Loaf
Celebration
Hunter Butternut

[Hector]

[Hector]

further to this, just read a description of red kuri that says it only gets to 24 inches in height...is it true?

[Barnowl]

Your containers are easily big enough. Not sure how many plants to each, though! 

12 cubic ft (2ft x 3ft x2ft) is  340 litres if full to the brim,  but 18 ins of soil should be enough (in any case always leave room for watering).  I think people in this forum seem to allow from 15 litres to 30 litres per tomato plant. My guess would be squash would like something at least at the top end of that range but an expert should be along shortly.

PS Any chance of putting castors under your containers so that they can be trundled into a garage if there's frost?

[Squashfan]

Just make sure you put plenty of organic matter in that and the squash should be ok. I had so-so luck with putting them on trellises, but I'll bet if you had a sturdy enough one and supported the squash as it grew (little platforms?) you'd get a decent output. I got one wee butternut and have gone back to planting them on the ground. The fruit gets heavy! Good luck!

[Tee Gee]

I would say two (max) to a box!

Fill the bottom 50%-60% with well rotted manure and top up with a good potting compost.

I wouldn't mix them i.e, two off one variety per container!

Aim for something like this;



But keep in mind my crop is in a greenhouse border rather than boxes.

[saddad]

My red kuri are trailing and already three foot long...  :-\

[grannyjanny]

I had 2 nice hunters waiting to go to the plot, I knew there was a snail in  there somewhere. It is no more. I found it nuzzled in a chili. Little b----r.

[manicscousers]

our red kuri is about 3' long too, plus it's got a nice fruit forming  ;D