Zucchini

Zucchini is really tasty and super easy to grow. As a matter of fact, it is often said that, "friends don't give friends zucchini." With that in mind, remember that yields are often high with zucchini.  One plant goes a long way!


Planting

• If you have a short season, or just want fruits sooner then start in 4" pots 4-6 weeks before last frost.
• Be careful when transplanting to not disturb the roots.
• You can start with direct seeding 2-4 seeds on a nice 24" mound.
• Soils should not have too much clay and drain fairly well.
• If planting a  lot of plants you can place them 24" apart.  This will make them dense to close to choke out the weeds.
• Add manure to holes when prepping site.

Care

• Zucchinis like it hot, so letting them dry out before watering them can really get them going. 
• Keep weeds down while they are being established. 
• Once established they will choke everything else out.
• Once Zucchinis begin flowering you should get in the habit of visiting them daily. 
• Inspect the plant thoroughly so as not to miss fruits. 

Harvest

• Harvest fruits when tiny for canning or just because they are so delicious at 3 inches.
• Be sure to harvest for eating in stir-fries and steamed before they are 8 inches long.  If you are growing zucchini there is no reason to eat fibrous, too big fruits!
• Use giant zucchinis to make breads or as livestock feed.  My chickens love them.
• I love harvesting these when just the height of a pint jar for canning Spicy Zucchini Pickles.  They look amazing in the jars and fun to eat during football season.