Zucchini and summer squash are large often very vigorous, half-hardy plants, with a diversity of types, shapes, colors, and sizes of fruits. These plants are undemanding and rewarding to grow. They are generally heat tolerate. These vegetables are eaten both raw and cooked.

Ideal Location- Zucchini prefer a sheltered location with full sun. Certain bush varieties look stunning in an ornamental garden. They can be grown under cover for an early crop. Use a low to medium fertility soil improver depending on the type of soil. Rich soil or over feeding will result in rapid foliage growth at the expense of the fruit. Ideal pH 5.5-6.8

Seed to Harvest- Zucchini / squash will be ready to pick in 6-8 weeks

Cultivation- The minimum germination temperature for zucchini is 59F (15C). If sowing undercover plant 3-4 weeks before your last frost date. Push 2 seeds into each 3 ½ in (9cm) pot, removing the weaker seedling after germination. Harden off well before planting outside. Transplant carefully as plants dislike root disturbance. When sowing seeds directly outdoors, plant in early summer in mild areas. Protect zucchini plants with bottle cloches extra warmth.

Spacing- Bush cultivars: 24-36in apart x 36-48in rows. (60x90 cm x 90x120cm); Trailing cultivars 4-6ft apart x 6ft rows (1.2m x 1.2-1.8m).

Plant Care- Keep area well weeded until zucchini is well established. Water only until plants are established. Once the plants are growing mulch with straw, hay or a low-fertility soil improver. Trailing cultivars can be trained up a strong support or pegged into a circle.
 

Early in the season or in response to stress plants may only produce male flowers. Zucchini or summer squash grown under cover may require hand pollination.

Potential Problems- Zucchini / summer squash may be susceptible to aphids, cucumber beetles, squash vine borer, bacterial wilt, powdery mildew, squash, or zucchini mosaic virus.

Harvesting- Zucchini / summer squash can be picked as soon as you see them, even with the flower still on them for use as a baby vegetable. For cooking the fruit should be 6-8 in long (15-20 cm) for zucchini and crookneck cultivars.. Rounder type cultivars should be picked when fruit is 4-8 in (10-20 cm). The fruit ripens quickly and plants will stop producing once they mature so pick fruit quickly to keep the harvesting coming. The fruit will store in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.

Nutrients- The nutrients provided by zucchini are an excellent source of manganese and vitamin C and a very good source of magnesium, vitamin A (notably through its concentration of carotenoids, including beta-carotene), fiber, potassium, folate, copper, riboflavin, and phosphorus.