I've had a tough time with squash vine borers in the past, particularly with my spaghetti and delicata squashes that were on a chicken wire trellis. However, my zucchinis and patty pans fared better since they were growing along the ground. This year, I'm considering growing my summer squash and zucchinis vertically, but I'm feeling anxious about it. I'm worried that since they can reroot along the vine when they spread out horizontally, going vertical might make them more vulnerable to borer attacks. Most of the information I've come across suggests that growing them vertically can actually help by making it easier to spot borer eggs and improving airflow. I'm looking for advice on this! What do you think?
4 Answers
I think going vertical can work well for you. Many pests prefer staying hidden close to the ground, so lifting those plants up might reduce pest problems. You could also try companion planting with things like marigolds or garlic to keep the borer moths away. Plus, diatomaceous earth is a great natural option for pest control too! You might want to create a little insect house nearby to attract beneficial bugs that help control pests. Make your garden a fortress!
Why not run a little experiment this season? Grow some of your squash vertically and some traditionally on the ground, and see which does better against those pesky borers. It'll be interesting to compare the outcomes!
Absolutely! One thing you might want to try is to bury parts of the vine stem in a few places, which can help combat SVN damage. Even though vertical growing makes inspections easier, just remember that moths can land on vines no matter their position, so vigilance is key. But overall, going vertical is definitely a smart move!
You're on the right track! Growing vertically can definitely help reduce the chances of squash vine borers finding your plants since they're not laying on the ground where pests typically hang out. Just keep an eye on them and inspect regularly. If you do see any damage, it can be tricky to support those vines, but spotting issues early is a big plus!
Sounds like a plan! I'll keep you posted on how it goes in a few months.