Growing squash ON granite rocks?

[laohaire]

I have an opportunity to get certain greenhouse plants for free. Basically they are just clearing out the last stuff that didn't sell.

Among the remaining inventory are a bunch of squashes. They look lovely. Flowering already. They need a home. I would love squashes, I am quite willing to deal with an abundance of squash. But I just don't have the space in my yard, especially not with sunlight. (We abut a mountain forest to the south, so sunlight is at a real premium here - and we're just on like 1/3 acre).

Except one place. We live on the lower part of a mountain and the yard is very steep and it's been terraced at certain places. One slope is covered with granite as a retainer. That area gets ok sunlight. What if I grew the squash up or down the granite rocks, let them use the rocks as a trellis of sorts? They would of course be in soil at the top or bottom of the rock slope, but the vines themselves laying on the rocks.

I'm just worried that they will literally burn on hot days, sitting right on the rocks.

You know what, it's free, those squashes are headed for the dumpster, I'll give it a try. But I'll post this anyway to see if anyone had words of encouragement (or discouragement I guess too).

[Erinz]

I can't think of any reason to not try it! Squash love heat and maybe being up on that nice hot wall will help keep fungal issues in check Their leaves will help shelter stuff too.

[lunarlady]

I've heard that melons love growing on rocks, and honestly I think squash would do fine too. It certianly would prevent any rotting of winter squash.

[laohaire]

Thanks, guys, I'm so excited. I counted and I have 42 curcubits. I started planting them in the ground but the soil is worse than I thought. Plan B: going to get bags of potting soil and try the method where you just poke drainage holes on one side and cut the bags open on the other, voila, instant garden! Seems like this method will work even better for squash, since the plants don't have to live on the bag. I'm figuring about 4 plants a bag but we'll see (will get them today).

I'm totally psyched!

[Owen'nZoe]

Good luck, and let us know how it goes! What a great place that would be to grow herbs! I have a very small granite retaining wall, and the herbs I've planted there (thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage) all grow like crazy. They love it.