How to Plant & Grow Zucchini

Why buy zucchini when a package of seeds or just a few plants will yield a bountiful harvest with plenty to share? Learn how to grow zucchini at home.

Here are our top tips for growing zucchini. For more detailed information, keep reading below.

Timing: Plant zucchini when the soil is warm—at least 65-70°F—and all chance of frost has passed.
Location: Choose a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily.
Soil: Improve your garden soil by mixing in Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil or fill outdoor containers with Miracle-Gro Organic™ Outdoor Potting Mix.
Watering: Provide plants with consistent moisture to prevent problems like blossom end rot.
Feeding: Begin feeding your plants with Miracle-Gro Organic™ All Purpose Plant Food one month after planting.
Harvesting: Harvest zucchini when fruits are young and tender, between 3 and 8 inches long.

Zucchini is a staple of summer cuisine, from ratatouille to mixed grills, summer salads, and stir-fries. It's no wonder, either, since this versatile vegetable is easy to grow and prolific in the garden. While the most common types of zucchini plants produce green fruits, you can also grow golden or bi-color zucchini varieties. Here's how to grow zucchini.

When and Where to Plant Zucchini

Zucchini needs full sun—at least 6 to 8 hours daily—and consistently moist soil that is high in organic matter. Some zucchini varieties are vining types that require a trellis or a lot of room to sprawl, while others are bush types suitable for container gardening and small spaces. For the best results, match the zucchini type to the space in which you plan to grow it.

Before planting, improve your garden beds by mixing a 3-inch layer of aged compost-enriched Miracle-Gro Organic™ Raised Bed & Garden Soil into the top 6 inches of native soil. You can use this same soil to fill up your raised beds. If you're planting in an outdoor container, fill it with Miracle-Gro Organic™ Outdoor Potting Mix.

How to Plant Zucchini

Zucchini loves warm weather. Wait to plant seeds or transplants until after your area’s last spring frost and the soil is at least 65°F to 70°F. In warmer growing zones, gardeners can plant two crops of zucchini, one in the spring and one in the fall. In cooler areas, zucchini is grown as a summer crop.

Zucchini plants can be grown from young plants or seeds. Starting with young zucchini plants like those from Bonnie Plants will get you closer to harvest time. However, seeds sprout and grow quickly, so starting seeds in the garden is the preferred planting method.

Plant seeds 1 inch deep. Place 2 or 3 seeds per hole, and space the holes 3 feet apart. Once the seedlings reach 4 to 5 inches in height, thin them to 1 plant per planting spot. For containers, plant 2 or 3 seeds in a pot that is at least 20 inches wide and then thin to the strongest seedling.

How to Care for Zucchini Plants

With a few simple tips, you can keep problems at bay and enjoy a big harvest.

Watering: Zucchini plants need a steady moisture to produce large, problem-free harvests. Water thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil is dry. Take care to water the soil at the base of the plant, not the leaves, to help prevent disease.
Preventing Pests: Zucchini plants are vulnerable to a number of pests and diseases including squash bugs, squash vine borers, powdery mildew, and bacterial wilt. Help prevent problems by planting only after the soil has warmed, and use row covers when plants are young (be sure to remove them once plants start flowering). It also helps to keep vines off the ground by trellising or adding a layer of mulch, like Miracle-Gro Organic™ All Natural Mulch, beneath them.
Feeding: For the best growth, zucchini plants need regular feeding in addition to nutrient-rich soil. A month after planting, begin feeding with Miracle-Gro Organic™ All Purpose Plant Food.

How to Harvest Zucchini

Harvest time depends on the variety, but generally, zucchini are most tender and have the best flavor when they are young. Large fruits tend to be mealy and full of seeds. Carefully cut fruits off the plant with a knife or pruners when zucchini are between 3 and 8 inches long, leaving at least an inch of stem attached.

How to Use Zucchini in Your Kitchen

Zucchini is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. For a delicious and easy weeknight meal, try throwing it on the grill to make Grilled Burrito Bowls. You can also use it to create a flavorful sauce for a new twist on pasta night with a recipe like Spaghetti with Zucchini Pesto. To preserve your bountiful harvest, try making a Pickled Summer Relish to enjoy later. When used in baking, zucchini keeps the texture light and adds moisture to breads and other baked goods without affecting taste. And, of course, you can always enjoy it raw in salads for a refreshing crunch.

With so many culinary uses, zucchini is a kitchen powerhouse you'll be glad you planted. Enjoy the fun of growing this prolific summer squash and the delicious, bountiful harvest!