posted 2 years ago
Curiosity question here for anyone with experience growing winter squashes along the edge of woodlands. Can it be done? Is the soil too acidic from the tannins of a deciduous forest?
I'm speaking of the margin between grassland & the tree line in the Eastern woodland where the shrubbery/bushes are thick.
I recall the stories of Seminole Pumpkins 15 feet up a tree, or the fabled 3 sisters growing in a small clearing in the woods where sunlight pokes through just enough (not sure how true that is).
My theory is that if you stick to smaller (less heavy) vigoruous climbing fruits like Cherokee Tan, Seminole Pumpkin, or even butternut you might have a chance. Conversely, a larger/heavier fruit with harder hubbard-type skins may prove too difficult for wildlife to break into or get their mouth around for a bite? Either way, if you plant the seeds inside the protection of say, wild roses, blackberries, or other bushy barrier and plant enough of them to get some kind of harvest that's out of reach of the woodland critters. It just might be possible to eke out a harvest of no input winter squash grown in wild places? I doubt there's any real concern for naturalization this far North, but I visualize the vines wanting to climb to the top of the bush toward more light, setting them on a path to overtake the height of the bushes before fruiting, but I could be wrong.
What say you?
Dirty hands + a sweaty handkerchief = hope for the future.
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