How to plant zucchini

Zucchini, scientifically named Cucurbita pepo L, are one of the most gratifying crops to work with since the zucchini plant grows at high speed and is very undemanding with its care. In addition, if you plant your own zucchini in pots or in the garden, you can enjoy exceptionally healthy, tasty, and organically grown fruits.

Learn how to plant zucchini step by step with this practical guide from in which we talk about when and how to plant them in pots and soil, among more related details.

When to plant zucchini

To grow properly, zucchini seeds need a good amount of light and warm temperatures, as they do not tolerate frost. Taking this into account, and depending on the local climate, it is best to plant during spring, usually in the months of April and May in the northern hemisphere.

Colder climates may require that the crop be delayed, just as in an exceptionally hot one, it will be advisable to advance the cultivation a bit since the sun of a very hot summer can be too much for young zucchini.

If you plant in seedlings or in pots to grow your zucchini at home and then be able to transplant it as usual, you can advance the sowing time by a few weeks.

How to plant zucchini in pots

Follow these steps to plant zucchini in pots

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1. If you want to sow zucchini in a seedbed or pot, you can prepare the seeds between late winter and early spring. You can use a seedbed like the ones you buy on any surface with a gardening section or use any other small container, as long as the material is waterproof, like that of a yogurt, and you make drainage holes.
2. Zucchini seeds grow properly in a universal seedling mix, made with equal parts peat , worm cast, and coconut fiber mixed in, to which you can add some perlite and vermiculite .
3. Add the seeds in small groups of 3 to ensure that at least one seed from each group germinates.
4. Bury them roughly twice their own size, water liberally, and place the containers in a warm area with soft but abundant light. In about a week, your seeds should be germinating.
5. Once the plants grow somewhat more, select the strongest of each group of 3 and, once the plants measure about 10-15 cm, they will be ready to be transplanted to their final location in the garden or pot.

How to plant zucchini in the garden

Now we tell you what are the steps to plant zucchini in the garden or soil :

1. The first and most necessary thing will be to prepare the land in which we are going to plant the zucchini. Choose an area with plenty of sun on your land and give the soil a large supply of worm castings or compost , stirring it well at least two weeks before planting.
2. Once the seedlings are ready, dig a small hole of about 15 cm and fill the bottom with a new supply of humus or organic matter, since the contribution of nutrients is one of the most important cares for zucchini. And at what distance are the zucchini planted? This plant can grow a lot, so the ideal is to respect a meter of distance between zucchini. Bury them all respecting one meter between plants and between different rows.
3. After this, bury the plant almost to the height of the first two leaves, so that it is firmly located and grows more strongly.
4. After planting, flatten the soil with your hands around it to remove air pockets and water generously.
5. It is very important to water the zucchini often, as this is the other great key to growing it. Ideally, water around the plant without wetting the stem, and do so regularly with a supply of organic fertilizer such as liquid worm castings.
6. If you want to strengthen your crop even more, a good mulch will help the soil to maintain optimum temperatures and humidity for the plants.

How long does a zucchini plant take to grow?

The zucchini plant grows very fast, so in about 6 weeks you should be able to make your first harvest, as long as everything has gone well. In addition, your zucchini will continue to produce throughout the summer and even though much of the fall if it is warm.

To know when a fruit is ready to be harvested, a good trick is to gently drive a nail into the skin with clean hands: if it sticks easily, it is ready and ripe.

How many zucchini does a plant give

Zucchini are plants that are as healthy as they are productive, so you have to be careful and not overdo it when planting at the beginning, or we will see many more fruits than we can consume. If the crop goes well, about 6 zucchini plants bear more than enough fruit for a family of about 4 members.

If you find yourself with a harvest that is too abundant, the fruits are best stored in a cool and ventilated area, between 10 and 20 ºC.