Plant: Zucchini / Summer Squash

Garden Prep Pointers: 

*Select full sun location where these plants have NOT been planted within the past 24months: Zucchini, Squash or melons (of any sort) cucumbers, or pumpkins

*Till soil thoroughly, mix in 15-15-15, or organic fertilizer (amount specified on package).

Planting Season: 

*Seeds: direct sow into garden May 7^th – Late July

*Transplants: Plant outside May 15^th – August 1^st

Plant Selection Tips: 

*Healthy transplants or seeds both work well.

*Choose small, bushy plants, with dark green color and 2-6 leaves. 

*Choose plants in ‘peat pots’ which are  bio-degradable and you may plant the pot and all, preventing you from needing to remove the especially fragile zucchini plant from a plastic pot.

Planting Guide:

*Seeds: Plant 3 seeds 8-12” apart in a triangle on a 24” wide by 6” tall mound.

*Plants: Plant 24” apart on long mound. (mound varies by user, it helps to keep fruit out of mud.

*Planting through black plastic sheet helps warm soil, prevent weeds, and protect fruit from mud and disease, without additional labor or chemicals

Planting Notes: 

*Seeds: Plant about 1.5” deep.

*Peat Pot: tear bottom of pot away with thumb, bury pot with plant inside up to top of pot. 

*Water thoroughly (both cases).   

Upkeep:

*After planting, avoid fertilizing again until fruit set.  Upon fruit set begin fertilizing with liquid fertilizer once every 2-3 weeks until end of season.

*Water daily, plastic mulch helps retain moisture in soil if one day is missed.

Fruiting Habits:

            *Plants usually fruit 3-4 weeks after planting.

            *Each Plant typically yields 1 medium fruit every other day.

Growers Favorite Varieties:

            *Zucchini: Spineless Beauty

            *Yellow Squash: Super-pik

            *Yellow Zucchini: Gold Rush

Grower Notes:

*When planting on plastic, place soaker hose under plastic, OR puncture holes in coffee can or similar container, set into ground next to plant and fill can to water plant.

*Zucchini and Squash plants with out supplemental fertilizer upon fruit set can be picked for about 3 weeks.  However Fertilizing after fruit set can extend the picking for an additional 3 weeks.

*Zucchini and Squash grow so quickly, you may want to plant seeds for a second harvest about the time you begin picking from the original plants.  This way, you will have a new harvest when the first peters out.

Fruits of Knowledge: 

*Proper pest control is important with squash to prevent the spread of cucumber beetles whom bring in several diseases.  Organic Oils are a great solution.