Grow up!

A SPACE-SAVING WAY TO GROW PUMPKIN AND POWER-CHARGE IT AT THE SAME TIME

- Steve McGrane

Pumpkin label

Common name: Pumpkin, winter squash

Botanical name: Cucurbita maxima

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Aspect & soil: Sun; deep, moist, fertile soil

Best climate: All, but in cold areas wait for warmer weather

Habit: Annual vine

Propagation: Seed, seedling

Difficulty: Easy

Pumpkin patches are generally messy, sprawling areas where rats often find the fruit before you do. What’s more, the best ones always seem to pop up, inconveniently, in a compost heap with nightmare management issues such as rambling.

We have the solution!

Not only can you grow pumpkins vertically but you can power-charge them by using organic waste recycled in your compost bin to produce bountiful fruit in a tidy fashion.

STRUCTURES TO GROW ON

There are myriad structures to grow pumpkins on, from existing vertical arrangements like a pool fence or brick wall to your own pumpkin pyramid. I trained pumpkins onto existing pool-type fencing that divides my orchard from my dog’s play space.

An open structure like a pool fence provides premium sun exposure and airflow and has a generous length of training space and plenty of attachment points for tendrils. Look around your property, balcony or courtyard for opportunities. Position a domed compost bin or similar near the climbing structure, as shown in top right photo.

Tip: Wherever you position your pumpkin plant and compost bin, make sure they receive sun exposure for the longest part of the day and year.