Squash and watermelon...in the yard?

[TwinCitiesPanda]

I’m looking to destroy as little of the lawn at my rental as possible and wondering if my pumpkins and watermelons can be planted in hills in the middle of my yard. Would just the roots/planting location need to be prepared? Can I just let the vines run out in the grass? I have bunnies and squirrels abound, will I need to protect these veggies?

 

[Ridgerunner]

The problem I'd have with that is that you cannot mow the lawn with melons or squash running all over it. It will be a jungle in short order. That's an eyesore and potentially a home to vermin like rats. Your landlord or neighbors probably would not approve.

What types of squash are you considering? Some squash like Tromboncino can be trellised so if you are willing to prune you might work up something there.

 

[TwinCitiesPanda]

The problem I'd have with that is that you cannot mow the lawn with melons or squash running all over it. It will be a jungle in short order. That's an eyesore and potentially a home to vermin like rats. Your landlord or neighbors probably would not approve.

What types of squash are you considering? Some squash like Tromboncino can be trellised so if you are willing to prune you might work up something there.

Big pumpkins (vif d’etampes), small acorn squash, and then two types of watermelon. I hadn’t thought too much about the grass. It would be the backyard. Having seen my neighbors’ yards, they’re in no place to get upset, but I don’t want rats or vermin to be sure.

 

[seedcorn]

Not a good idea. As @Ridgerunner said, grass will become a problem and cause problems.

 

[dickiebird]

You know what, if it were me I'd do just what you planned.
Most likely the vines will keep the grass at bay and they shouldn't attract any vermin.
Good luck...

THANX RICH

 

[TwinCitiesPanda]

To the other question, do I need to keep these guys in the safety of my chicken wire?

 

[flowerbug]

rabbits can eat squash sprouts, squirrels/chipmunks may go after seeds/plants so you may want to put some wire over the plants until they are up and growing.

the problem with the taller grasses is that you may end up with a lot more mosquitoes... but will depend upon your types of grasses as to how tall they get. you can sorta move some of the vines carefully to mow some of it or leave pathways (and of course mow it when the plants are just starting out). if you just water the plants and any spots they root along the vines you can avoid watering the rest of the grass so that may also help limit grass/weed growth (but in MN you probably will get enough rain anyways).

we've gotten rid of most of the lawn/grasses here and i'd be happy to be done with the rest of it ASAP. more veggies and flowers instead anytime.

 

[TwinCitiesPanda]

rabbits can eat squash sprouts, squirrels/chipmunks may go after seeds/plants so you may want to put some wire over the plants until they are up and growing.

the problem with the taller grasses is that you may end up with a lot more mosquitoes... but will depend upon your types of grasses as to how tall they get. you can sorta move some of the vines carefully to mow some of it or leave pathways (and of course mow it when the plants are just starting out). if you just water the plants and any spots they root along the vines you can avoid watering the rest of the grass so that may also help limit grass/weed growth (but in MN you probably will get enough rain anyways).

we've gotten rid of most of the lawn/grasses here and i'd be happy to be done with the rest of it ASAP. more veggies and flowers instead anytime.

I’m very anti-lawn. I will not have one myself when I own a home, except perhaps a small patch directly in front. I don’t feel as strongly about it here in MN where it stays alive naturally. In Southern California the wasted water and added chemicals drove me bananas.

 

[flowerbug]

I’m very anti-lawn. I will not have one myself when I own a home, except perhaps a small patch directly in front. I don’t feel as strongly about it here in MN where it stays alive naturally. In Southern California the wasted water and added chemicals drove me bananas.

when you finally get to your own place you'll want to make sure you find a place without a HOA or troublesome weed ordinances. i was dating someone who had a place in the nearby small town and they sent her letters once in a while complaining of these small flowers that would come up in her lawn that she would mow around. how silly, we suspected her ex of being the cause of it. of course there were many yards in much worse shape than hers. lol

 

[TwinCitiesPanda]

when you finally get to your own place you'll want to make sure you find a place without a HOA or troublesome weed ordinances. i was dating someone who had a place in the nearby small town and they sent her letters once in a while complaining of these small flowers that would come up in her lawn that she would mow around. how silly, we suspected her ex of being the cause of it. of course there were many yards in much worse shape than hers. lol

Oh lord no HOAs or crazy city ordinances. I’m looking for property. Space for animals and a workshop and a garden and no neighbors I can see from my veranda, LOL