[Yana]

Ive taken on a second half plot and whilst it is coming along nicely (even with all the rain), I want it eventually to be mainly fruit and realise that I am too late this year to plant fruit bushes, so I thought I would grow squash as I love this.
My question is, can I grow brassica as well and under plant with squash or is this asking for trouble? Will the brassica be out by the time the fruit bushes need to go in?

[mumofstig]

Grow Autumn cabbage - something like minicole, and they're finished by Oct/Now.

The squashes could be as big as some of the brassicas depending on variety, of course.

I would think it's easiest just to divide the plot into patches of either 1 or t'other rather than mixed beds

[Yorkie]

The only way I'd consider it, is to have the squash planted at the edge and let them ramble round the outside - so they don't actually use the same soil to grow in, and don't affect the brassicas in any major way.

[azubah]

Growing brassicas and squash together sounds a little over optimistic to me.
Squash take up a lot of room, and when I grow cabbages or sprouts there is not much space left between them for anything else.

[Yana]

Oh OK. Last year when I grew Brussels there seemed a lot of room between them but that was way at the squash would have finished. I like the ramble round the edge idea Yorkie. I think I'll try that.
Thanks guys.

[sarajane]

I usually plant a couple of squashes at the edge of my sweetcorn and let it ramble underneath them but don't think I would under brassicas.

[Yana]

Is that called 'three sisters'? With sweetcorn, squash and climbing French beans.
I think I did two sisters by accident two years ago when I planted the climbing French beans near sweetcorn and the beans 'strayed' onto the sweetcorn.

[Agatha]

Yes. I find squash & sweetcorn grow really well together, but I don't grow the climbing bean up the sweetcorn as we get very strong winds here & I think it might make the whole thing blow over.  Lost my bean & pea wigwams last year as it was.

[Yana]

Done deal then. Under plant sweetcorn with squash and leave the brassicas alone. 

[bigben]

Done deal then. Under plant sweetcorn with squash and leave the brassicas alone. 

I am doing that this year - last year I felt my sweetcorn patch while giving me decent corn did seem to be "underused".

[MyAchingBack]

Done deal then. Under plant sweetcorn with squash and leave the brassicas alone. 

Can I under plant sweetcorn with cucumbers?

[mumofstig]

yup -they're the same family as squash, but as you have to pick them regulary it will not be as easy. Outside edge of bed would be fine though 

[MyAchingBack]

Thanks mum.