Zucchini squash is a member of the cucurbita family, the same family as watermelon. It is a highly productive crop that only a few plants will keep you in food stores longer than the cucumbers you buy at your local grocery store. With only a few plants you can have a weekly food supply of zucchini.
Growing zucchini is very easy. It is a crop that will grow in just about any type of soil. Lots of organic compost will help the soil to improve it’s ability to retain moisture and the plants root systems. It is a crop that does not do well in full shade and is doable in as much as part shade.
Zucchini is a crop that can be planted in the early spring before the last frost or the later in the spring after the summer heat has passed. If you planted it in the spring it is best to place a trellis into the garden to give the plants the chance to get stronger. You can also grow it in containers as well.
Zucchini seeds areessentially just squash seeds that have been modified for a version that has a higher yield and a tighter crop. The cucurbita is a member of the squash family and the same family as watermelon, but they are not related. The cucurbita is a much higher yielding crop than zucchini and they are much more picky about the length of growing season. They require a much longer growing season than zucchini to produce in the end.
So how does one grow zucchini then?
Zucchini is a crop that does not take to well to the winter frosts, so if you are planning on growing your zucchinianuca be sure to plant it in the spring when there is a danger of frost.
You will want to be sure to plant your zucchinis in an area that is sheltered from the wind. The seeds are very fine and can be planted directly into the soil or started in a container and transplanted. I start my zucchini seeds directly in the ground because they will not transplant well and too many kids or pets are likely to damage the seedlings.
Zucchini is a crop that gets a large area of night time heat and because of this, it tends to have a sturdier stem than squash and pumpkins, so you will want to choose your planting area with this in mind.
Zucchini is a crop that wants warm soil that is well drained and can tolerate a large amount of salinity in the soil. The addition of the salt will depend on the type of soil you have and if it is rough.
You will not be able to use certainorganic fertilizerswith zucchini and if you do, it will cause the fruit to split.
Controlling Pests
Zucchini is subject to a few pests, the most common being cucumber beetles, squash vine borers and aphids.
Cucumber beetles are a striped beetle that is about 3/16″ in length, green or yellow, and has yellow rings on their wings. The striped beetles will kill the leaves before the cucumber beetles eat them.
Squash vine borers are about an inch long, with a black head and a yellow abdomen. The adults will kill the stems and the larvae eat the insides of the squash leaves.
Aphids are also common pests for zucchini, but as the name suggests, they are eaten by the squash vine borers, who will eat the aphids and render them harmless.
Harvesting
Zucchini is ready to harvest about seventy days after sowing, when the zucchini will be about four to six inches long, and have attained a thickness of skin that is hard. Be careful when using a knife to separate the zucchini from the flesh, as the skin is very tender.
This can be a delicious way to prepare favorite meals for family gatherings or entertaining. Any zucchini that is left in the garden will continue to grow, so continue to rotate your crops.
