How to Grow Zucchini: A Beginner’s Guide
Zucchini is one of the easiest and most productive vegetables you can grow in your backyard garden (Seriously! One plant provides a TON of crops!). Whether you're just starting out on your gardening journey, or you’ve been gardening for years, this versatile summer squash rewards you with a very bountiful harvest, fast growth, and a long list of health benefits. Plus, it’s a great choice if you’re looking to make the most of your garden space. Here’s everything you need to know to grow zucchini from seed to harvest!
Why Grow Zucchini?
Zucchini is a true powerhouse in the garden. One or two plants can provide more squash than most families can eat in a season! But productivity isn’t the only reason to grow it. In the garden, zucchini offers:
Fast Growth: You’ll be harvesting in as little as 45-60 days!
Pollinator-Friendly Flowers: The big yellow blossoms attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. AND delicious to eat, add to a baked focaccia bread.
Health-wise, zucchini is low in calories but high in fibre, making it a great addition to healthy diets, a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants, and since it’s mild-flavoured, it’s easy to add to everything from stir-fries to baked goods. I love to make zucchini muffins with them!
When to Start Zucchini Seeds
Zucchini is a warm-season crop that doesn’t tolerate frost, so ensure that when you plant, you’re well past your last frost date. You can either start seeds indoors or direct sow outdoors, depending on your climate and growing season.
Starting Zucchini Indoors:
Start seeds 2-4 weeks before your last expected frost date.
Zucchini roots don’t love being disturbed during transplanting. You may find they do not look good after planting (yellow or white stems) but they will come back and look alive sooner than you think. Do not give up on them!
Use a heat mat in a sunny window or grow lights to start indoors.
Direct Sowing Zucchini:
Wait until the soil temperature reaches at least 15°C (60°C)—usually about 2-3 weeks after your last frost.
Zucchini seeds germinate quite quickly in warm soil, often sprouting in 4–7 days. If you plant too early or have a wet and cooler late spring you may need to plant again. Personally, I like to start them inside as they will produce quicker outside.
When and How to Plant Zucchini
Zucchini plants are big feeders and need plenty of room, sun, and water. Choose a spot that has: full sun (at least 6–8 hours per day), and well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter.
Planting Tips:
Space plants 2 feet apart to give them room to spread.
Plant seeds about 1 inch deep.
If transplanting, gently place your seedlings in the soil once night temperatures stay consistently above 10°C (50°F).
Caring for Your Zucchini Plants
Once your zucchini is in the ground, it won’t need much fuss. Water is your friend with zucchini, water deeply at the base of the plant. Adding mulch around the plant with help to retain moisture and suppress weeds is an option. Additionally, fertilize every few weeks with compost or a balanced organic fertilizer. And lastly, watch for pests like squash vine borers or powdery mildew. Here in the PNW, we will get powdery mildew and I simply remove the leaves and prune hard. You can prune zucchini leaves and train them to grow the direction you like. Harvesting regularly and maintaining airflow around the plants are important.
Harvesting Zucchini
You can start harvesting when the fruits are 6–8 inches long, typically about 45–60 days after planting. Don’t wait too long—overgrown zucchinis can become seedy and less flavourful. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut the squash from the stem. Harvest every few days to keep the plant producing. Without fail, each year my zucchini gets quite large or there is a sneaky one that got really big overnight. I tend to use the big ones in baking such as zucchini muffins Keep an eye on them!
Zucchini is a great choice for gardeners of all experience levels. I hope you feel confident to grow this year! With just a bit of care, this fast-growing plant will reward you with armloads of squash all summer long! Whether you want to grill, bake or even spiralize zucchini into noodles, this crop has endless uses in the kitchen, and its health benefits are a great bonus! So go ahead, plant a few seeds this season, and get ready for a harvest you’ll be proud of!
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