anyone grown courgettes in hanging baskets

s4lvatore · 16 June 2011 at 2:48PM

Was wondering if anyone had tried this. Would have thought that view would just trail downwards wouldn't they?

a1cat · 16 June 2011 at 2:53PM

Not tried it but if you had a sturdy hanging basket and made it quite water retentive (ie lined with plastic sheeting) it would work OK

earthlysparky · 16 June 2011 at 2:56PM

it would need to be quite big though? courgettes generally take up a lot of space.

a1cat · 16 June 2011 at 3:08PM

earthlysparky wrote: »

it would need to be quite big though? courgettes generally take up a lot of space.

The root system idn't necessarily that big but the leaves etc can get huge - can't see that preventing the hanging basket idea, perhaps you'd ned to mulch with something heavy such as pebbles to stop it all toppling out.

poly1 · 16 June 2011 at 3:14PM

Think you would probably have to pick the courgettes when quite small though as I imagine the weight of a huge courgette would actually break the plant.

s4lvatore · 16 June 2011 at 3:15PM

I think I have a 16"basket somewhere. May be worth trying. Do you reckon the fruits may need support

earthlysparky · 16 June 2011 at 3:29PM

Ah, I was thinking more about nutritional/water needs than physical space for the plant. Courgettes need plenty of water and food, so I just thought it might be too labour intensive in a basket to get a decent crop. But if you have spare plants ready to go out, use it as an experiment, and be sure to keep us posted

psso · 16 June 2011 at 7:04PM

We grew courgettes in a couple of large hanging baskets two years ago.

Lined them with polythene,(compost bag) and put some water gel crystals in as well.
Had lots of courgettes on them and we picked them when quite small,about 6". Lovely.

Give it a try, what have you got to lose ?

s4lvatore · 16 June 2011 at 7:56PM

Thats right I have nothing to lose.

Which variety did you grow?

I may have to buy a couple of plants as the rest I have are all spoken for now, bt this is well worth an experiment

Thanks guys for your thoughts

Living_proof · 16 June 2011 at 8:11PM

Have not tried hanging baskets, but if it ever warms up sufficiently to get mine outside I will plant in cattle troughs (the shallow ones) this year and they can then trail over the sides and down a wall. The b***** slugs will still get them of course. We have grown them in a vegetable plot for several years and I never cease to be amazed just how shallow their roots are. They like a lot of manure and feeding though.

Primrose · 16 June 2011 at 9:21PM

I'd be doubtful about doing this successfully because courgettes normally have a long trailing root and are heavy feeders as well, so I wouldn't think there would be sufficient root space in a hanging basket for them to thrive. However, if you've got a really large hanging basket, can line it well with plastic and mix in some water retention crystals and perhaps a few chicken manure pellets to add extra nutrition, it's at least worth having a go.