Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Deborah1 on May 17, 2018, 22:16

Title: Squashes in compost heap?
Post by: Deborah1 on May 17, 2018, 22:16
This year I have, what seems to me, a large, old, compost heap. Not yet completely rotted. Around 1.5 x 1.5 metres square,(and perhaps cube) in volume.
I would like to plant various squashes in/on/around it.
Can anyone advise what I need to do. Is this feasible?
Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Squashes in compost heap?
Post by: mumofstig on May 18, 2018, 09:11
Make a couple of large 'pot shaped' holes in the top and fill with soil or multipurpose compost and plant the squashes into those. Keep an eye on them to make sure they aren't drying out too quickly, and that depends on how dense the compost mix is underneath. If the heap is very loosely packed water will drain away quickly.
Good luck!
Title: Re: Squashes in compost heap?
Post by: Plot94 on May 18, 2018, 11:52
I did this a couple of years ago with some butternut squash and got the best crop I've ever had, more numerous and heavier than when I've planted into the ground, even with copious organic material under. This year I have a bin about a metre cube full of well rotted horse manure and am planning to do the same again.
Title: Re: Squashes in compost heap?
Post by: sunshineband on May 18, 2018, 13:14
Yes, we have had some amazing crops growing like this too.. Thelma Sanders threw out a runner and escaped into next door's plot over the top of the bin, and into their orchard. Luckily they let us have the squashes, but I did give them one in thanks

Well worth doing
Title: Re: Squashes in compost heap?
Post by: pigeonpie on May 18, 2018, 22:10
I grew some pumpkins on an old muck heap up the in-laws farm one year - best fruits I've ever had!

As said though, you'll need to make sure the water isn't seeping out if it's old, dry compost.
Title: Re: Squashes in compost heap?
Post by: Deborah1 on May 19, 2018, 22:46
Thanks everyone. I'm going to give it a try  :)