I’m new to gardening. I’m doing the square-foot gardening method and realized I may have made a mistake growing zucchini. My question is, can I remove it and plant it where I’m growing my corn? I have a bean sprout in the middle of my corn, it’s the third image.
I’m afraid it’s going to spread and cover my other plants. Should I sacrifice it? I really don’t want to, but if it means saving my other plants then I’ll do it.
Any thoughts? Thanks for the help!
by RevoltLePetit
11 Comments
It’s going to get a lot bigger than that square. You could try growing it vertically. Basically keep the stem tied to a pole as it grows. I don’t have experience doing that, so maybe someone else can comment.
SFG is a difficult system and absolutely not for beginners.
The zucchini is going to be a problem but it’s not gonna to be your only problem judging by that pic.
That is entirely too crowded for someone who’s not prepared to handle it.
Wait for it to take over your entire plot lol. Especially if it’s not a bush variety that you can train upwards on a stake that thing is going to get everywhere lol.
I can’t tell what is in front of the zucchini but it looks like there is lettuce to the side of it.
After you harvest the lettuce, you can leave that space blank for the zucchini to grow into.
It will also lean out of the box and get a bit more space that way.
The tomatoes are going to be crowded but they can lean out of the side of the box too.
Remember that you can trim off the old bottom leaves of the zucchini as it grows bigger. This will help with airflow and reduce the crowding.
So, it’s possible that you could make it work but it will be difficult.
You should have put it in the corner. 3ftx3ft is its eventual size. Lettuce would be fine to plant next to it, since you can harvest the lettuce before the zucchini gets full size (if your timing is good).
Transplant is tricky since they root quick. If you can get fully under it and lift it, then yes. But they also grow really quick from seed, so starting over is possible.
I grow vining types that can be trellissed, bush varieties get big. So next to the corn is questionable.
Lessons will be learned! 😊
I have some additional concern for the cucumbers as well… are you planning to add trellises or anything?
Re-read Mel’s book. SFG is easy if you follow simple guidelines.
It’s ok, we all make this mistake! Even when I plan it out and give them their own bed, they still go bonkers. It loves to grow fast and it out competes everything around it for sun by blocking everything.
My suggestion is move him. I’ve never attempted a square foot vertical setup though but I imagine it’s going to be a pain.
You need a LOT more space for zucchini. That one plant will take up the entire bed. Also, you need to plant 3 together so they can cross pollinate each other and make the fruit. One probably won’t grow any fruit.
Prepare the seedlings for squash borers. They are relentless.