True zucchinis are evenly narrow along their length, and they are long – never round. We include summer pumpkins here as “round zucchinis”because they are so similar in growth habit and usefulness. Zucchinis that develop a bulbous end where the seed cavity forms, are referred to as Cocozelle types. At the end of the day, all are very productive summer squash. Follow along with thishandy How to Grow Zucchini Guide and grow food.
Latin
Cucurbita pepo
Family:Cucurbitaceae
Difficulty
Easy
We Recommend: If flavour was to be the defining characteristic, Romanesco Zucchini (SQ724) would come to mind first. This heirloom has old-time, nutty flavour, and a distinctive look that provides instant appeal on the market table.
Season: Warm season
Exposure: Full sun
Zone: 2-12
Timing
Direct sow or transplant in late May or early June when soil is warm. For transplants, start seeds indoors in late April or early May. Optimal soil temperature for germination:25-35°C(68-95°F). Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days.
Starting
Sow seeds 2cm (1″) deep. Sow 3 seeds in each spot you want a plant to grow and thin to the strongest one. Aim to space zucchinis no less than 45-60cm (18-24″) apart in rows 90-120cm (36-48″)apart.
Growing
Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. These big, fast-growing plants need plenty of moisture and lots of food. Grow them in rich, well-drained soil in full sun. Dig finished compost or well-rotted manure into the beds, and dig in 1 cup of complete organic fertilizer beneath each transplant. Water the soil around them when you irrigate, and always avoid overhead watering, as wet leaves will attract diseases like mildew. Keep weeded. Misshapen or withered fruits can result from incomplete pollination. Make sure to remove these from the plants as you see them, before they begin to rot, and put them in the compost. In the home garden it can be tempting to over-plant zucchinis. One well-grown plant will provide enough fruits for the average family. Instead of planting several zucchinis, use that space for other vegetables.
Harvest
Pick regularly to encourage the plant to keep on fruiting. Zucchini leaves are often very prickly, so pull delicate skinned fruit out carefully. Fully mature zucchini have a hard skin: chickens like them.
Seed Info
In optimal conditions at least 80% of seeds will germinate. Usual seed life:2 years. Per 100′ row: 180 seeds, per acre:15M seeds.
Diseases & Pests
Zucchinis that are grown in good soil in full sun will have few problems. One common complaint is the development of powdery mildew on the leaves. This begins to show up in mid-summer as grey patches on the leaves and stems, and it literally is mildew. It results from excess moisture, and can be prevented or minimized by avoiding overhead watering at all times. Try to water plants early in the day, and only water the soil around them. Avoid over-crowding plants to improve air circulation around them. Leaves that are badly affected by mildew can be removed, but throw them in the garbage, not the compost.
FAQs
Zucchini loves warm weather. Wait to plant seeds or transplants until the soil is at least 65 to 70 degrees. In warmer growing zones (including the Southeast, Gulf Coast, and Desert Southwest), gardeners can plant two crops of zucchini, one in the spring and one in the fall.
Do zucchini plants need to climb? ›
Zucchini plants are botanically vines, just like their creeping pumpkin and squash cousins, but their natural growth habit is bushy and short-stemmed rather than trailing or climbing. However, they can be trained to scramble upwards relatively easily.
How long do zucchini take to grow? ›
Zucchini Squash
Since zucchini seeds will come to maturity quickly — about 45 to 55 days — you can even wait until August to plant for an early fall harvest. In fact, many experts recommend waiting until mid-July to plant so you can avoid infestation of a specific type of squash bug.
Do you need 2 zucchini plants to get fruit? ›
When adding zucchini to your garden, just one plant should do it. And in fact, if planted properly and well-cared for, one plant may even produce more than you can handle on your own.
Do coffee grounds help zucchini plants? ›
By placing them below tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and squash, the slow release of calcium will ensure that they do not suffer from blossom end rot otherwise known as (BER). Blossom End Rot occurs when the plant is lacking calcium.
Will zucchini climb a tomato cage? ›
The tomato cage will provide the support needed for the zucchini plant as it grows. However, if you want to save space, you should consider another option. You can also use a trellis or a fence. The vine tendrils will support the plants when they are mature but not when they are mature.
Can zucchini and cucumbers be planted together? ›
As with other squash plants, it is not advisable to plant zucchini and cucumbers together. Cucumbers are members of the Cucurbitaceae family, just like zucchini and so they will compete for space and nutrients. Also, growing several similar plants in the same area can make it easier for pests to find the plants.
Do zucchini like morning sun or afternoon sun? ›
Zucchinis need to be planted in an area that receives full sun, meaning 6 or more hours of direct sun each day. Southern exposure is ideal for most sun-loving vegetables where they receive light during the majority of the day but are protected from the strongest afternoon sun.
What month do you plant zucchini? ›
We recommend planting zucchini and summer squash from late May to early July, depending on the season's temperatures and rainfall. It's a warm season crop, so it needs warm air, warm soil, and no chance of frost.
How often should I water zucchini? ›
Watering Zucchinis
One inch of water per week should suffice, but water more often if the weather is particularly hot and dry. Well-draining soil is a must—if it water pools and remains stagnant around the roots, they will start to rot. Avoid letting your soil dry out; this can increase the risk of blossom end rot.
Yes, all zucchini flowers are safe to eat, whether they are male or female blooms. Any zucchini flowers that you pick should be washed before being eaten, but all blooms, and all parts of every bloom, are edible. They are often cooked, but zucchini flowers are safe to eat raw.
Can zucchini and tomatoes be planted together? ›
Zucchini and tomatoes can be grown as close neighbors and will make satisfactory companion plants. Both vegetables thrive in the same environmental conditions, so a garden plot that is ideal for one plant is therefore ideal for the other. They both need a location with full sun and benefit from nutrient-rich soil.
What is the best fertilizer for zucchini? ›
An all-purpose N-P-K fertilizer like 10-10-10 will provide zucchini with sufficient nutrients. The fertilizer you opt for should provide enough nitrogen to promote vigorous foliage growth.
How do you make zucchini produce more fruit? ›
Zucchini flowers tend to open up wide in the morning and are often closed by the afternoon, so it is important to hand pollinate in the morning. Pluck a fully open male flower from the plant. Peel off the petals to expose the pollen-heavy anther. Gently brush the pollen over the stigma of a fully opened female flower.
Why do my zucchini plants have lots of flowers but no fruit? ›
Early in the growing season, squash plants tend to produce more male than female flowers. While you may have tons of flowers, in order to produce fruit you must have both male and female flowers at the same time.
