Container Gardening Complete

Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete

#175 Dtp: 229 Page: 154

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Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete
#175 Dtp: 229 Page: 155

Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete

#175 Dtp: 229 Page: 154

700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 155 5/24/17 12:13 PM

This creative system uses two large containers to support a curved rebar

arch extending between them. Though I’m growing tromboncino squash

on this arch, the system can also be used to grow pole beans, gourds,

cucumbers, melons, or any other vining crop.

This example uses two pieces of 10-ft.-long rebar to make the arch,

but if you’d like a taller arch, opt for longer pieces of rebar and increase

the number of 2-ft.-long pieces used as cross braces. Use your creativity

and make X-shaped cross braces, if you’d like. Paint the rebar for a splash

of color, or hang little ornaments from the arch to add a touch of whimsy.

The possibilities are infinite.

Building this squash arch is a two-person job, and you’ll need a big

tree to use as a form to bend the rebar. But both the containers and the

arch last for years, making it well worth your time and effort.

MATERIALS NEEDED

2 large, 31-gallon

galvanized trashcans

2 empty 5-gallon

buckets

Enough 50/50 potting

soil and compost blend

to fill both cans

2 pieces of pre-cut^1 ⁄ 2 -in.

rebar, 10 ft. long

7 pieces of pre-cut^1 ⁄ 2 -in.

rebar, 2 ft. long

Roll of aluminum hobby

wire

A packet of winter

squash seeds

8 to 10 mixed flowering

annuals, such as

nasturtiums, salvia,

marigolds, etc.

Jute twine

TOOLS NEEDED

Scratch awl

Hammer

Tape measure

Marker

Wire cutter

Level

SQUASH

ARCH

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HOW TO MAKE A SQUASH ARCH

STEP 1 Flip the cans upside down and hammer the

scratch awl through the bottom of each can in several

places to make multiple drainage holes. Flip the cans

right-side-up, and place them 4 to 5 ft. apart.

STEP 2 Put an upended, empty 5-gallon bucket into

each empty trashcan. This helps fill some of the empty

space and reduce the amount of potting mix you’ll

need. Fill both galvanized trashcans with the 50/50

potting soil and compost blend until there’s only 1 in. of

headspace remaining below the top of the can.

STEP 3 Using a large tree (at least 2 ft. in diameter) as a

bending form, bend each long piece of rebar exactly in

the middle to form an arch. For this step, it is essential

to have two people, one holding each end of the rebar.

Begin by holding the rebar straight with the center

against the tree, then slowly walk around the tree to

bend the rebar until the legs of the arch are nearly

parallel. Repeat with the second long piece of rebar,

making sure that both arches are exactly the same.

Continued

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Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete

#175 Dtp: 229 Page: 155

Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete

#175 Dtp: 229 Page: 154

700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 155 5/24/17 1:07 PM