Might work. Just be sure you have plenty of support for the cattle panels. Even if the squash are not that large, the plants are likely to set on a lot, in weight!

George
Tahlequah, OK

Hi George!

Thanks for getting back to me :D

I was also browsing on line and saw some squash trellises that would be relatively easy to make that might support the weight better (basically a 2-sided A-frame with several cross supports of wood)--enclosed a link--and growing the acorn against a fence.

Perhaps the cattle panels would be better used on beans, peas, and cucumbers :D. Monsters like squash need more weight-bearing support, as you said!

Here is a link that might be useful: winter squash trellis

The one you indicate has the advantage of being tried and proven. I do believe that a cattle panel could be made to work. But you'd need four posts to stabilize the arch formed by the panel. Otherwise it would likely tip over and flatten out. I do this even with beans.

Sometime I might give this a try myself!

George

I raise them on cattle panels, it works great. I don't do that arch thing, I just have them on their sides, with 3 t-posts per 16 ft panel holding them up, and wired on. They're surprisingly stable.

I've done kabocha, butternut, and some of the smaller Asian squashes, maybe up to 8 lbs? Never had one fall off. One thing to watch, though, is if the fruits start to grow in side the panel holes - move them out quickly, or you'll never get them out.

The further apart you put the panels, the better - 4 ft apart would be the minimum, 6 foot better. I the squash vines every 3 feet.

OK--thanks so much David! Sorry I did not post back sooner--issues with my ISP. Ugh!

Thanks for the spacing note too :D