The Basics – Pumpkin/Squash Care
Pumpkin and squash plants have really taken off in the last few weeks and the bed where they are planted is likely to be a mass of foliage now – so much so, it can be hard to work out where the centre of the plant is. Seeing them in situ like this, it’s easy to see why they are considered excellent ground cover – weeds don’t stand a chance against them. Marking the centre of the plant with a short stick can be a good plan, so you know where to water (and you should water if the weather is dry).
Given half the chance, these plants will continue to grow, trailing over beds and taking over every available space. To avoid this, and encourage the fruits to swell, nip out the growing tip. If you want to keep the plants in check, you can train them (carefully) in to compact circles by pinning down the shoot with bent wire.
