"Shade Seeking Squash"

[lakngulf]

This time of the year the temps are so hot in central Alabama that many crops play out. Such is the case with yellow and zucchini squash. Either the heat, the humidity or the squash borers get them. For the most part I just accept that, enjoy the fruit while it lasts, and sometimes try for a second crop.

This year I have noticed something interesting. Some of my squash has found enough "shade" to keep it growing and producing. Here is a picture of one squash plant that found some cool temps under a tomato plant and some okra:

[img]https://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab104/lakngulf/G2010J2/June20_2010088.jpg[/img]

Another plant gets afternoon shade from a large, tall tomato plant:

[img]https://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab104/lakngulf/G2010J2/June20_2010092.jpg[/img]

[applestar]

Hey lakngulf, I was noticing the clump of smartweed/polygonum in your 2nd photo. We're talking about their possible merits (though the thread started out denouncing them as pesky weeds) [url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27620]over here[/url].

It's sharing these little discoveries like yours that makes this forum great!

[lakngulf]

Applestar, where exactly is it in the photo. I can assure you that if it looks like a weed, acts like a weed, quacks like a weed, then I would have pulled it out if I had gotten to it.

I am about weeds the same way my grandfather was about snakes. There are three kinds of BAD snakes: Live snake, Dead snakes, and Stickes that look like snakes.

[garden5]

Huh, there's something new I learned: squash don't like tons of sun and heat.

For some reason (probably those huge leaves) I always thought that the more sun the better.

[lakngulf]

You may be right about squash liking the sun. It has always been my experience that they go gang-busters for a while and then fizzle. Maybe the squash borers are the problem each time, but I just attributed it to the conditions.

[applestar]

The pink arching flowers to the top left is what I'm thinking of. But you know "weed" by definition is what you DON'T want growing in your garden. If you like it and want it, then it's NOT WEED.

The book I mentioned in the other thread cites research that show smartweed promoted growth as companion plants.

[lakngulf]

Those are Prince's Feather. See this post:

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25996&highlight=feather


And here is a picture from this past weekend. I left several in the rows, and they are giving shade to peppers and such now. Click the picture to make it a bit larger and all you see is pink.

[img]https://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab104/lakngulf/G2010J2/June20_2010094.jpg[/img]

[applestar]

Interesting! According to the Monticello website, Prince’s Feather is Polygonum orientale. So it IS in the same family, but I'm guessing this is a species cultivated for more showy blooms. See, "weed" is in the eyes of the beholder.

You're right. They're beautiful.

[lakngulf]

Well, I've learned something new today, so I am done for the day.