Q&A for How to Grow Zucchini

Zucchinis can grow hard if they are left on the vine too long. Harvest them as soon as they are around 4 inches (10 cm) long to avoid this.

Typically, Zucchini seeds take around 60 days after planting to reach full maturity.

Pollinate the flowers by sticking a paintbrush in a male flower and transferring the pollen to the female flower.

Zucchini plants need about 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) of water a week.

Yes, train it by pointing the vines on the direction of the trellis you want them to go.

Low nighttime temperatures, lack of water, inadequate sunlight or pests can all cause zucchini die-back early.

This may be a sign that your plant needs more water or less sunlight.

It may not be pollinated or it might be subject to too much moisture. Try a parthenocarpic variety as they don't require pollination. Also, don't water the leaves or fruits; water the roots and soil area.

Yes.

There is no real way to get both flowers to blossom at the same time.

Yes, you can. These plants grow about 2 feet tall or a bit more. Their foliage is pretty wide (2 feet or more).

You can trim the older leaves towards the bottom if you feel that you need to.

The flowers fall off after a day or two, but it could also be a lack of pollination or some kind of disease/improper growing conditions.

The seeds should be sprouting within a few days.

It could be the heat, especially if it's in direct sunlight. Try watering it, and see if that doesn't make it perk up.

There isn't a set time frame but often the first to show are the male flowers, then the female flowers won't be far behind. They will come when the plant is ready... you can't rush nature!

I start all of mine in soil. It's really a matter of preference and resources.

The zucchini should be able to get its roots down about 36-48 inches.

You'll want a 12" wide pot to grow 1 plant, so, it is not very practical to grow in pots. But if that's the only option, then just get as many pots as the number of plants you intend to grow. Remember that you need full sun, so don't put those pots in shade.

Yes, you can. You can also do that if you want bigger zucchinis.

Zucchini HATE transplanting. When you transplant them, always be very careful, and use the same soil it started in; sudden changes in growing conditions can shock the roots and upset the zucchini, causing blooms to wilt and the plant to wither.

Yes. Otherwise, they can grow so big that they might overcrowd each other.

Yes. You should fertilize them with phosphorus-rich fertilizer. Phosphorus aids the plant to promote good root development and increased formation of blossoms and fruit. (Avoid nitrogen rich fertilizer.)

Yes, they enjoy hot weather. They are called "summer squash" because they tend to be planted in summer or spring.

All squash are dependent on bees, which means they need bees to pollinate them to produce fruit. You can hand-pollinate them by using a cotton swab; gather some pollen from the male flower, then rub the pollen against the stamen of the female flower.

Female has swelling ovaries on the flower stem, while males lack it. 2 - 3 feet apart is a safe distance.

No, as this is normal for these plants. They should perk back up in the evening when the weather is cooler. If they do not, then water them as needed.

If the zucchini fruit is about 4 inches long, it is ready to harvest. Don't wait longer than this.

Yes, but it must be a large container (5 gallons) with good drainage. Cut off very large leaves so the nutrients are directed towards the fruit and not the leaves. Be diligent about insects and fungus. Deep root water.