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There are various varieties of summer squashes, in all shapes and colors. Perhaps the most favored is the zucchini, also known as a courgette in the UK and France. The most prevalent type of zucchini is cylindrical with rounded ends, slightly fatter in the middle, and green in color. Zucchini has been used in all sorts of recipes and meals, from simple side dishes or appetizers, to hearty casseroles, as well as in breads. It’s used in all sorts of cuisines, from Italian to Asian. The zucchini is used as a vegetable in the culinary context, meaning it's usually prepared as a savory dish or accompaniment. In a botanical sense, the zucchini is really an immature fruit - the swollen ovary of the female zucchini flower. Those new to planting this vegetable have little to fear as they are easy to care for. These summer squash take up a rather small amount of space and if kept picked will produce abundantly right up to frost. Climate & Growing Conditions Zucchini is a warm weather crop and is very sensitive to both frost and cold. It can and will grow practically anywhere, but be advised that the growing period will be shorter in colder areas. Being a warm weather crop the zucchini will grow best if you sow it where it will receive complete sun. However, it will tolerate partly shaded areas as well. Preparing the Garden Soil Before preparing your garden soil it is advisable to purchase a soil test kit as a method of determining the nutritional needs of your crop. These kits can easily be bought from your local home improvement stores such as Lowes and Home Depot. Zucchini likes well-drained fertile soil that has been amended with lots of compost and is rich in organic matter. On average this vegetable likes a pH of about 6.0. Unlike leafy greens, zucchini likes to grow on a mound of soil. Build 2 ft diameter hills of soil, after you have added any amendments or fertilizer. Create a large indention at the top, which will catch some water. Sowing Seeds Into each one of the mounds you’ve created, plant 3-4 seeds about 6 inches apart and water generously weekly. You need to space properly because when the vines begin to grow they will need room to really stretch out and run. Once growth has begun, thin them down to 2-3 plants per mound. Do not thin by pulling the plant up by its roots as it will disturb nearby plants. Simply use a pair of scissors to cut the unwanted plants at their base. If you live in a frost zone, start your seeds indoors in a room that stays above 60 degrees F. Place the seeds 4” apart, moving the growing container to a full sun location. Within 10 days you’ll see the first signs of seedlings sprouting. Transplant these when they reach 3 inches tall. If you’re starting your zucchini gardening with seedlings, give them at least 12” space between the plants and the rows for adequate growth. If you reside in a cooler climate, placing black plastic bags over the garden area before sowing your seeds or transplanting seedlings can help warm the soil. After a few days of sun, the black bags will absorb the sunlight and transfer the heat to the soil, as well as trapping that warm air right near the ground. Look for a soil temperature of about 70° degrees. Once the soil foundation has warmed up, add some dark-colored mulch. This helps maintain and insulate the warmth much in the same way your black bags do. Harvest Time Your zucchini should be ready to harvest in less than 2 months. Be very observant once they have started blooming. In general, the sweetest flavor and softest consistency comes from small zucchini, so you’ll want to harvest early. As a bonus, this tells the plant to put more energy into fruit production, so you can get even more zucchini! On subsequent harvests, it’s best to let the zucchini grow to 6 inches long. Large squash are good for flavoring bread or even as a serving container. Finally, to get even more in-depth and expert advice on growing zucchini, head over to my website Vegetable Gardens Made Easy.
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