Can You Plant Squash Plants Upside Down?

Squash Cultivars

• Choose the right cultivars for upside-down growing. Upside-down situations put additional pressure on the plants through weight, and so support smaller plants and vegetables better than heavy ones. Small summer squash plants like zucchini, scallop and patty pan squash thrive in upside-down planters, while large, heavy plants like pumpkins and other winter squash do not.

Planting

• String the upside-down planter up at waist height for easiest planting and mix organic compost and potting soil in a bucket to the side. Insert the squash seedling through the opening in the bottom of the planter and secure it, per manufacturer directions. Hold the seedling and use a scoop to gently transfer soil into the upside-down planter. Fill the planter three-quarters full, then elevate it to its permanent location. Keep upside-down planters in spots with full sunshine all day for best squash growth, blooming and fruiting.

Care

• Give squash 46-0-0 or 27-3-3 fertilizer at midseason to encourage fruiting and water with at least 4 to 5 inches of water every week. Water must drain down to the squash in this situation, and takes longer to get to roots. Keep the plants from drying out by maintaining consistent, careful waterings.