Custom squash trellises

In my June gardening column, I mentioned that I am trying a new piece of homemade equipment in the garden, this year. The squash trellises were built by my gardening partner, Pat, from ¾-inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe and fittings. I have attached three photos to show the fronts, backs, and one side of one of the trellises.

The front of the trellises, with netting to train the vines up.

To use the trellises, I first built up a raised mound the length of the two trellises in which to place the squash and pumpkin plants (I used chicken house shovelings – manure, wood chips, dirt – squash and pumpkins need a LOT of nitrogen and food), then I placed a weep hose (black drip-irrigation hose) along the length of the mound where the plants would benefit, and covered the mound with weed fabric, over an area the size of the two trellises with their legs extended. I borrowed an idea from club member Bill Turner, and used a propane torch to burn 3-inch diameter holes in the weed fabric (thanks Bill, that worked great, and the heat sealed the edges of the holes so I have no tear-out) on the top of the mound, and about 12 inches apart –  I then planted the squash and pumpkins into the holes. I plopped both trellises over the plants (being vewwy, vewwy careful!), and that was about it – the fronts of the trellises have nylon netting (5¼-inch square openings – we bought ours at Bi-Mart in Deer Park – remember to use your club membership card for a 10-percent discount!) tied into place, and I plan to train the vine tendrils up the netting as they develop. 

The back of the trellises, with access to the plants.

You can see the drip hose heading for the plants under the weed-blocker fabric.

When the actual squash and pumpkins show up, I'll support them UNDER the netting using panty hose (no, not mine) or some such – the plan says I can harvest the chicken food sometime this autumn, and still have a LOT more flat garden real estate, since the squash and pumpkins plants will be growing more or less vertically. 

I'll let you know how this turns out - I'm also growing kale and chard for the chickens as well, and maybe even the goats and sheep will appreciate the greens.

jim