My very first year growing a vegetable garden had a lot of ups and downs. While a lot of vegetables I tried to grow didn’t turn out, some plants gave me enough food to feed the whole neighborhood. Zucchini was the one plant I had the most luck with from start to finish. If you want to learn how to grow zucchini from seed, keep reading to see how easy it really is.
Think about the zucchini’s that you find in the supermarket. They look similar to cucumbers, but a lot smaller. Homegrown garden zucchini’s put those puppies to shame. The first year that I learned how to grow zucchini from seed I was growing ones that had girth thicker than my arm. It took 2 hands to hold the zucchini because they were so big.
How Long Do You Plant Zucchini Seeds?
My first year gardening I never asked the important question of “how long do you plant zucchini seeds?” Always start by planting your zucchini seeds in pots indoors anywhere from 4-6 weeks before last frost. Try to avoid starting them too early because the roots in zucchini plants grow rapidly. If you plant too early they will get way too big for their pots. I had this experience my first year growing and ended up having to use mixing bowls and spare containers to store them in before last frost. Learn from my mistakes and wait to plant those seeds.
How To Germinate Zucchini
If you want to learn how to germinate zucchini seed you’ll be surprised at how simple it is. I recommend using disposable planting cups that are at least 2 inches deep and have a drain hole at the bottom. That drain hole is also a great way to check on the roots. Once you see the roots you know that your plant needs to go to the garden where those roots have room to grow.
Fill your cup up with potting soil, leaving approximately a centimeter of space. Moisten the soil and place one zucchini seed in the centre. Cover that seed up with a little bit more soil and keep in a sunny spot. Make sure you keep the soil damp but avoid over watering.
How To Grow Zucchini Plants
Learning how to grow zucchini plants will keep you fed all season long. They start forming zucchinis early in the summer season and continue to produce them all season! Let’s take a look at how to grow zucchini plants in your garden!
- After the last frost when the soil is at least 55 degrees fahrenheit you can bring your zucchini plants outdoors to be planted in the garden. Clear weeds and rocks out of the way so it has enough room to grow.
- When searching for the perfect location to put your zucchini plant, remember that they need full sun and a lot of room to grow. Place your plant in an area where it can get 6-10 hours of sunlight a day.
- When putting your zucchini plant in the ground trying to plant it on a mound. This will give it room to drain better, especially during heavy rains.
- Keep an eye out for weeds so they do not cause your plant any problem. Adding a layer of mulch will keep your weed problem to a minimum.
Zucchini plants are very low maintenance plants to take care of. As long as you can keep your soil moist without over watering and allow enough room to grow, you will see a lot of zucchinis all summer long.
How To Harvest Zucchini
Once you spot a zucchini that is 4 inches long, it is ready to be harvested. They can grow to be a lot bigger than that, but if you want to get a lot of fruit from your plant it’s best to harvest them once they reach that length. If you find that this provides you with way too much zucchini than leave them on the vine longer for a slower production.
You will notice your zucchini is attached to the vine on a rough stem. Once your zucchini is ready for harvest all you need to do is cut it off of that stem with a sharp knife. Your plant will produce zucchini all the way up to last frost as well.
Helpful Tip:
Your zucchini plant needs to be pollinated to be able to grow any fruit. If you live in an area with very few bees and find that your plant isn’t producing any zucchini there’s something you can do to help. Your zucchini plant will produce pale orange flowers. A male flower has a long slender stem with a visible stamen in the middle. Pull back the blossoms on that stem and rub it inside the female plant’s flower. This will help pollinate the plant and stimulate growth.
Final Thoughts
You won’t be disappointed with the results if you learn how to grow zucchini from seed. It is so easy and your whole family will have fun watching the process. Growing vegetables is a rewarding lesson to teach your kids and zucchini is one of the most fun things for them to grow.
Now that you know how to germinate zucchini and how to grow zucchini plants there will be no stop to your green thumb. Once you master the art of growing zucchini it will be easier for you to learn how to grow other vegetables as well. Your garden will keep on expanding and your belly will stay full.
Have you ever grown zucchini from seed before? Tell us about it in the comments!
Read my other articles on how to grow Almonds and Aloe Vera.
