If you grow
squash in your backyard, you know what a happy mess of squash vines can do
to your garden beds. Squash plants grow on strong, long vines that can crowd
out your other veggie crops in short order. A squash arch can help you solve
those problems and serve as a focal point in your garden too. Read on for
information on squash arch ideas and tips on how to build a squash arch
yourself.
What is a Squash Arch?
It’s not easy to grow squash
vertically. Like snap
peas, these veggies are heavy. Even a load of zucchini
can take down a small trellis, and winter
squash is even heavier.
That’s why it’s time to consider a DIY squash arch. What is
a squash arch? It’s an arch made of PVC piping and fencing tough enough to bear
the load of a productive squash plant.
Squash Arch Ideas
It may be possible to buy a squash arch in commerce, but DIY
costs less and isn’t difficult to construct. You can build it to suit the
dimensions of your own vegetable garden and tailor its strength to the type of
squash (summer
or winter)
you plan to grow.
You construct the framework out of PVC piping and metal
fencing. Figure out the dimensions once you decide where to put the arch.
You’ll need to make it long enough to bridge your garden space and high enough
to hold the vine and veggies well above the ground. Consider how wide you want
it too, keeping in mind that it will shade the garden bed beneath.
How to Build a Squash Arch
Cut the pieces of PVC piping to fit the space. If necessary,
attach several pieces of piping with special PVC glue or use PVS pipe
attachments. Pouring hot water into the pipes will make them flexible and allow
you to bend them into the arch you want.
After you get the PVC pipes in place, attach wire fencing
between them. Use a gauge fencing that provides the strength you need for
whatever you are growing. Attach the wire with zip ties or pieces of wire.
If you want to paint the arch, do so before you plant the
squash. Once everything is in place, plant seedlings and direct the vines up
the arch. In time, it will fill the entire area and the squash vine will be
high above the ground, getting the sunshine it needs.
If you grow
squash in your backyard, you know what a happy mess of squash vines can do
to your garden beds. Squash plants grow on strong, long vines that can crowd
out your other veggie crops in short order. A squash arch can help you solve
those problems and serve as a focal point in your garden too. Read on for
information on squash arch ideas and tips on how to build a squash arch
yourself.
What is a Squash Arch?
It’s not easy to grow squash
vertically. Like snap
peas, these veggies are heavy. Even a load of zucchini
can take down a small trellis, and winter
squash is even heavier.
That’s why it’s time to consider a DIY squash arch. What is
a squash arch? It’s an arch made of PVC piping and fencing tough enough to bear
the load of a productive squash plant.
Squash Arch Ideas
It may be possible to buy a squash arch in commerce, but DIY
costs less and isn’t difficult to construct. You can build it to suit the
dimensions of your own vegetable garden and tailor its strength to the type of
squash (summer
or winter)
you plan to grow.
You construct the framework out of PVC piping and metal
fencing. Figure out the dimensions once you decide where to put the arch.
You’ll need to make it long enough to bridge your garden space and high enough
to hold the vine and veggies well above the ground. Consider how wide you want
it too, keeping in mind that it will shade the garden bed beneath.
How to Build a Squash Arch
Cut the pieces of PVC piping to fit the space. If necessary,
attach several pieces of piping with special PVC glue or use PVS pipe
attachments. Pouring hot water into the pipes will make them flexible and allow
you to bend them into the arch you want.
After you get the PVC pipes in place, attach wire fencing
between them. Use a gauge fencing that provides the strength you need for
whatever you are growing. Attach the wire with zip ties or pieces of wire.
If you want to paint the arch, do so before you plant the
squash. Once everything is in place, plant seedlings and direct the vines up
the arch. In time, it will fill the entire area and the squash vine will be
high above the ground, getting the sunshine it needs.