Growing zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) in a garden is very popular because planting zucchini is easy and a zucchini plant can produce large amounts of delicious squash. Let's take a look at how to plant zucchini and grow zucchini squash in your garden.
How to Plant Zucchini
When planting zucchini, you can plant them either as individual plants or grouped on hills. How you grow zucchini squash is up to you, based on how many zucchini plants you intend to grow and how much room you have to grow them.
Individual Zucchini Plants
After the chance of frost has passed, plant two to three seeds 36 inches (92 cm.) apart. The seeds should be planted about an inch (2.5 cm.) deep. Thin to one plant per spot once the seeds have sprouted and have grown their first set of true leaves.
Zucchini Plants on a Hill
After the chance of frost has passed, mound up soil about 6 to 12 inches (15-31 cm.) high and 12 to 24 inches (31-61 cm.) wide. On the top of the hill, in a circle, plant four or five zucchini seeds. Thin the seedlings down to two or three per hill once the seedlings have their first set of true leaves. You can also start zucchini indoors in order to get a head start on the season. Start zucchini seeds indoors four to six weeks before the last frost date and plant them out in the garden after all chances of frost have passed.
Information on Growing Zucchini
Once seedlings are established, mulch around the plants. Mulching helps to keep the ground temperature stable and also helps the soil retain water. These two things will help the zucchini plant have an earlier and larger crop.
Make sure that your zucchini plants get at least 2 inches (5 cm.) of water a week. If you don't receive enough rainfall, supplement with manual watering. Use a soaker hose or another method to water the plants below their leaves as watering using a sprinkler can cause the zucchini plants to develop powdery mildew.
Harvest zucchini squash when the fruits are small. This will result in a more tender and flavorful squash. Growing zucchini in your garden is fun and easy. Now that you know how to plant zucchini and some tips on growing it well, you can grow zucchini squash in your garden with ease.
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