squash in compost bins

owein · « **on:** June 06, 2008, 22:29 »

Thanks to advice from this forum I now have plenty of healthy squash and pumpkin plants.

I am experimenting this year and so far have planted some in my polytunnel and some others outside in the beds. I plan on putting some in compost bins but was wondering how many to put in each one.

The bins are normal patllete ones about 1m square and filled with manure.

Originaly I was going to put one per bin but was wondering if I could get away with more?

Varieties are :
sunshine
crown prince
turks turban
jack o lantern
conetticut field pumpkin
a few other pumpkins
an other squash whose name I can't remember
and four mystery squashes

Thanks
Owein

gobs · « **Reply #1 on:** June 06, 2008, 23:07 »

I have never done this, so it's just guessing. I do 2-3 courgettes to a dalek, but these guys I tend to give a bed, I'd think don't put too many in, just a couple to that square metre, but what do I know, you try.

kezlou · « **Reply #2 on:** June 06, 2008, 23:16 »

Hi there owein,

I am currently doing the same thing as with squashes in containers. I found this for you if its any good. Compost Queen grew them in this way with hers.

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=17099&highlight=squash

and for more in depth instructions and pics:-

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=17128&highlight=squash

Good luck

Kerry

compostqueen · « **Reply #3 on:** June 07, 2008, 00:32 »

I'd only do one plant per dalek but with a pallet bin I'd go for four, one at each corner, if you have room all the way round them for the plants to cascade over. They'll spread out so you'll need to give them room. I would put some some soil on the surface roun the squashes if you have some as blackbirds love throwing the dry manure about as they search for tasty morsels. Try and keep the manure moist so it doesn't dry to a rock hard crust

I grew some squashes and courgettes in bags of manure. Couldn't be bothered to empty the bags of poo into the compost bins so just plonked a plant in each bag. Rolled the tops of the bags down to neaten them up, made a few holes in the bottom and voile. The plants cropped just fine

Alex 98 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 07, 2008, 07:25 »

I've done 4 per bin
Red Kuri
Butternut
Masterpiece Q's

I put top soil on top of half rotted horse manure
Mulched with clean straw
So far they love it

Alex 98

owein · « **Reply #5 on:** June 07, 2008, 21:03 »

thanks for all the suggestions everyone. 4 it is then with topsoil and straw

Welsh Girls Allotment · « **Reply #6 on:** June 07, 2008, 21:14 »

I have gone for one Atlantic Giant in the back left hand corner of my pallet style compost bin purely because I still need to use the compost and I don't want to disturb the plant

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