How to grow Zucchini

Cucurbita pepo var. cylindrica

Full Sun
Medium

Water mounds deeply at least once a week. Pick the zucchini when they are about 15cm / 6in long – if you leave to grow any longer they can become tough.

Avoid watering the leaves as this will encourage powdery mildew and other fungi. Water below the leaves in the evening or early morning. Water very deeply at least once a week.

Growing Zucchini from seed

Will not tolerate any frost. Plant seed or transplant outside after the absolute last chance of frost has passed. Sow 5-6 seeds in hills in well-drained fertile soil and full sun. Thin to three plants per hill. If you wish to start plants indoors, start them 3-4 weeks before last frost using peat pots. Make sure to weather them before setting into the ground.

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 2.92 feet (90.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.99 inches (2.54 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 15°C / 59°F to ensure good germination.

By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Zucchini about 42 days before your last frost date .

Transplanting Zucchini

Plant out in “mounds” about 1m (3 feet) apart. Thin to two plants per mound. Disturb roots as little as possible while transplanting.

As Zucchini is tender, ensure temperatures are mild enough to plant out - wait until after your last frost date to be on the safe side.

By our calculations*, you should look at planting out Zucchini about 14 days after your last frost date.

Seed Saving Zucchini

Seed viability is five years.

How long does Zucchini take to grow?

These estimates for how long Zucchini takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Zucchini to germinate?: 8 days
Average 8 days | Min 1 days | Max 20 days (549)
Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Zucchini?: + 21 days
Average 21 days | Min 1 days | Max 56 days (206)
Days to Maturity How long until Zucchini is ready for harvest / bloom?: + 67 days
Average 67 days | Min 3 days | Max 149 days (766)
Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Zucchini?: = 96 days

When should I plant Zucchini?

Our when to plant Zucchini estimates are relative to your last frost date.

When to sow The number of days to sow Zucchini before or after your last frost date.: 42 days before Last Frost Date
When to plant out The number of days to plant out Zucchini before or after your last frost date.: 14 days after Last Frost Date

Other names for Zucchini

Courgette, Squash, Zuchini

Cucurbita pepo L. var. cylindrica Paris, Cucurbita pepo ssp. pepo var. giromontiina

Misspellings: Zucchinis, Zuchinni

Footnotes

¹ Sally Jean Cunningham: Great Garden Companions, Rodale 1998.