{"id":2293,"date":"2019-06-06T09:15:09","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T09:15:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/?p=2293"},"modified":"2020-01-22T08:33:38","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T08:33:38","slug":"14-easy-steps-for-growing-great-zucchini-in-your-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/14-easy-steps-for-growing-great-zucchini-in-your-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Easy Steps for Growing Great Zucchini in Your Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Zucchini is a very versatile vegetable, which is why it is becoming more popular on tablets and in-home gardens each year. It can be made into pasta, fried, added to salads, and even used in desserts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps one of the best things about zucchini is the fact that it is relatively easy to grow as long as you are willing to take the time to do a bit of research about what is needed to make this plant thrive. If you take your time and plant the right variety of zucchini for the climate in which you live, you will be rewarded with great tasting vegetables fresh from the ground for many months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are thinking about starting a garden or if you have a garden and are trying to decide what to plant, zucchini should definitely be on your list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 8 easy steps to take in order to grow lots of zucchini in your garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Choosing the Right Type<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to growing great zucchini in your garden the very first thing that you need to consider is which type of zucchini is going to grow best in your area. It is important to choose the right type for your area if you are wanting to get the best results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you live in a fairly moderate climate, such as the midwest, there are two types of zucchini that tend to do very well. The Eldorado and the Sunburst are two yellow variety zucchini plants that tend to do well in moderate climates. There are also several types of green zucchini plants that do well in these areas as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best way to pick a type of zucchini variety is to simply check out your local garden stores. You can also speak to someone in your local area that is in a garden club or from your local farmers market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Planting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to zucchini, chances are you are going to read a lot about planting in hills. When you hear the term hills there are many things that may come to mind, such as a hilly area of your yard or garden to plant in. However, in gardening, the hill actually does not mean a raised mound. Instead, hills refer to creating clusters of plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are purchasing seedlings or seeds for zucchini plants you should make sure that you are planting two or three plants very close together. The main reason that you should do this is because all types of squash flowers have to be pollinated several times in order to thrive and provide viable fruit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each of the flowers are only open for a day. If the flowers are not pollinated, you will not get any zucchini. If you have several plants growing near each other you are going to have several more flowers open each day, which improves the chances of getting more zucchini. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Avoid Pollinating Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the ways to avoid pollinating issues is to plant the zucchini in groups. One of the issues with pollination is the fact that the zucchini blossoms only have a one-day lifespan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another problem is that you have to have a female and male flower open during the same time span. When zucchini plants are new they produce mostly male flowers. This can be quite frustrating because there are a ton of flowers, but now fruits beginning to form. Patience is key. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the plants really start to form you will see flowers from both sexes. The early males should attract pollinating insects. Female flowers will have tiny fruits located at the base. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are dedicated to your zucchini plants you can take pollination into your own hands by removing male flowers and then dusting the pollen into the females. This ensures proper pollination will occur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Succession Planting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the great things about zucchini is that it grows pretty quickly. It is ready for harvest just about 40 to 60 days after it has been planted. This means that if you want a really big harvest you can start new plants two or three times each season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zucchini plants work really hard at producing fruits, it is natural that the plants will then slow down and then give out. For this reason, it is a great idea to have a new crop that comes in just as the older plants are dying out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people feel like their first harvest of zucchini is plenty. However, if you want a steady supply, the best thing to do is to plant in succession. Since zucchini is easily grown from seed, you do not need to start the seeds indoors ahead of time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can sow the seeds directly and see plants within just a few days. A second planting during the middle of July or August will grow faster and should produce in just a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Planting Times<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While zucchini is a fairly fast grower and produces flowers quite early, it is important to make sure that you do not plant your zucchini to early. The reason for this is because zucchini is not very tolerant of cold temperatures and cannot withstand frost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you plant your zucchini plants too early the chances of them surviving a cold snap or a frost are slim. For this reason, planting the zucchini early is not going to get you anything. Even if the fruits start to form during colder weather they are going to have skin that is pitted. This is caused by a chilling injury from the colder weather. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do decide to plant your zucchini early you will want to make sure that you are covering your plants during the night. This is the time when temperatures can dip lower than 65 degrees F. Make sure that you cover the plants to keep them warm. In addition, keep the covers for the fall months too as this can help you to extend your zucchini harvest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Squash Borers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While zucchini is a fairly easy plant to grow, there are several things that can affect your zucchini plants. Squash vine borers really love zucchini almost as much as humans do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The adult borers will emerge from their hiding spots in the soil sometime during the month of June or early July. One of the first things that they will do is lay eggs near the base of the squash plants. As the eggs hatch, the larvae will start to burrow into the stems of the zucchini plants and begin to feed. When the borers start to feed it will cut off the water flow through the stem of the plant and this can kill your gorgeous zucchini plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the ways to avoid squash borers is to wait to plant zucchini until the middle of July. If there is no zucchini in your garden, the vine borer will not lay eggs. This is beneficial in another way because when larvae finish feeding on the current plants they burrow and wait to kill next year’s harvest. Avoiding the cycle for one year can cut down on issues in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Proper Soil and Sunlight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you are going to plant zucchini you need to consider the soil that you are planting it in. Zucchini plants tend to do well in any type of soil that is well-draining. These plants do need to be watered regularly. For this reason, make sure that you are planting your zucchini is located near plenty of water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are planting zucchini you also need to make sure that you consider where you have planted the zucchini before. It is a good idea to rotate your spots so that you can help to prevent squash bugs from ruining your crops. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should plant your zucchini in a different container, spot, or bed each year in order to get the most out of your plants. Zucchini plants prefer full sun, but need a bit of shade as well. A bit of shade during the day will help to keep the skin and leaves of the plants from burning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Proper Care<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Zucchini plants are fairly self-sufficient and hardy. However, there are several things that you can do in order to keep them growing and producing for many months. First, make sure that you clear the bed of any weeds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Removing weeds regularly helps to ensure that there is no competition for the plants to thrive. Using mulch can help to control the weeds and also helps to keep the soil warm. It is important to make sure that the ground is properly watered throughout the season. When zucchini is ready it will be about six to ten inches long. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to harvest at the right stage before the seeds and the skin get tough. It is important that you make sure that you check the crop for fruits that are ready to harvest quite frequently. The zucchini grows very fast so make sure to check each day. You can store harvested zucchini for up to two weeks in a cool location. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Training the Vines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When zucchini hit their stride, the plants grow quickly, gaining inches in days. As a gardener, you need to prepare for the growth spurt, as the plant can increase in size and weight dramatically. An unsupported zucchini plant will struggle to support the giant fruit, and they will end up bending to touch the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any zucchini that make contact with the soil will start to rot. Therefore, we recommend you construct an A-frame trellis over the growing area after the plants reach a foot in height. This trellis allows you to weave the tops of the zucchini through the gaps in the lattice, letting it lean on the frame, instead of using energy to stiffen its stems for support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re growing one zucchini plant, then try the staking system or use a tomato cage around the plant to support the weight of the zucchinis as they put on size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Starting Seedlings Indoors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you live in a colder region of the U.S, such as the Northern States, then we recommend that you start your seeds indoors to get a head start on the growing season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting your plants in a pot or container allows you to transplant them into the garden when the spring is underway, and you are confident that the last of the frosts have fallen. Zucchini don’t like frost, and if you plant your squash too soon, and a frost comes \u2013 then you risk your plants dying in the cold snap\/.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Select a material 5-gallon pot for optimal airflow to the roots and plant your seeds using the methods previously described for garden planting. After the weather improves, and your plants have three sets of leaves, they are ready for planting in the garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Space your zucchinis at least 18-inches apart to avoid getting the roots tangled with one another. Root binding can affect your plants in the fruiting phase, and it may reduce your yield, as well as the size of the zucchinis you harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. pH<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your zucchini is slow to start producing, or they fail to grow to a sufficient size, then the chances are that you have an issue with the nutrients or pH of your soil. Zucchini plants prefer soils with a pH of between 6.0 to 6.8. If your soil is too acidic, it causes stunted growth and yellowing of the foliage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you suspect there may be an issue with your soil, then we suggest that you take a sample through to your local nursery for analysis. After testing, your nursery should issue you with a report on the soil analysis, letting you know of any nutrient deficiencies or issues with the pH level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the advice of the soil report and ask the nursery about products you can use to improve the pH balance of the soil in your garden. Purchase a pH monitor that allows you to monitor any changes you make to the pH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Crop Rotation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When planting your garden at the beginning of the season, we recommend that you leave a quarter of the growing space unused for the season. This planting strategy, also known as “crop rotation,” allows you to benefit from fertile soil every season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many root vegetables and other plants harbor pathogens in the soil after the harvest season ends. These diseases can remain in the ground for years or in some cases, decades after planting. Therefore, any other plants that live in the soil while that pathogen is active will experience infection as well. By rotating your crops, you give the ground a chance to rest for a season, removing any toxins from the soil why increasing the nutrients available for your plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rotating your crops is also an excellent idea for succession planting. If you start your plants early using the indoor sprouting method, then you should have some time left for succession planting in the late summer early fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Harvesting Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After a productive growing season, it’s time to reap the rewards of your efforts. When your zucchini reaches a length of 4-inches, they are ready for harvest. We recommend that you don’t let your zucchini get over 6-inches, as they start to produce too many seeds, giving them a slimy mouthfeel and texture after cooking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the harvest season begins, we recommend that you put plastic drip trays around the bottom of your plants to catch any falling zucchini overnight. As soon as the squash touch the floor, they start to rot. If your zucchini has more than a few hours on the ground, they may already be turning soft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since you won’t be planning on overwintering your zucchini plants, it’s best if you dig them up at the end of the season and throw them on the compost heap. If your zucchini contract disease or pests, we recommend you rather throw them in the trash, as infections can return to your crop the following year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Storage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After harvesting your zucchini, and removing the plant from the ground for the winter, it’s time to think about where you are going to store your harvest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zucchinis will only last for a few days at room temperature, so we recommend that you keep them in the fridge to preserve their freshness. Rinse and dry all of your squash thoroughly before storage. Storing wet zucchini will cause them to rot prematurely, ruining your harvest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before storing in the fridge, we recommend that you wrap each zucchini is a paper towel, then send them to the refrigerator in an airtight container. If you are using this storage idea for your zucchini, the squash may last up to three weeks in the fridge before they start to turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When zucchini start to feel soft, and the skin starts to show signs of wrinkling, then it’s time to throw them away. Zucchini does not freeze well, as the seeds turn icy and turn the squash mushy upon thawing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n