Question
Can I grow long neck pumpkins and bush cucumbers out of a regular hanging basket and let the plants spread through the garden from the hanging basket, and what size hanging basket would I need?

Answer
John, I would not recommend it. It is a good idea to grow plants from the squash family vertically on a trellis with netting. This prevents the fruit from making contact with the soil which can result in rotting. However, due to the weight of the pumpkins and cucumbers, a hanging basket is not strong enough to sustain the load. You would also be limited to one per basket due to spacing requirements. Where as you can space squash as close as 1 foot apart when growing vertically.

I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever provide assistance.

Regards,

Mike