Fruit: Speckled green/grey oblong fruit with firm, tender flesh
Flavor: Exceptional taste, ideal for frying, steaming, or grilling
Climate: Best suited for warmer climates
Yield: High yielding, making it popular among market growers
Harvesting: Best harvested when the fruit reaches approximately 15 cm in length
How to Grow Zucchini from Seed
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Life Cycle: Annual
Sowing Instructions:
Best Time to Sow: Warm season crop, sow seeds when there’s no risk of frost
Preparation: Choose a sunny spot (at least 6 hours of full sunlight daily) with well-drained soil enriched with organic matter
Sowing: Plant seeds directly in the garden, 20 mm deep, and 75 cm apart with 100 cm spacing between rows
Germination: Takes 7-14 days at soil temperatures between 21-35°C
Protection: Protect seedlings from pests, pets, and weather until well-established
Indoor Sowing: In cooler climates, sow indoors 6 weeks before the last expected frost in a warm, sunny position
How to Care for Zucchini Plants
Watering: Water when soil is dry 5 cm below the surface; avoid watering the leaves to prevent fungal diseases
Fertilizing: In well-prepared soil, additional fertilizer may not be necessary. For poor soils, apply slow-release or liquid fertilizer during the growing season as needed
Temperature Sensitivity: Zucchini is sensitive to frost, so only plant outdoors once the danger of frost has passed
Harvesting Zucchini
When to Harvest: When fruit has a glossy skin and is large enough to eat (about 15 cm). Younger fruit is more tender and flavorful
Harvesting Method: Cut the fruit from the vine or bush, leaving a small amount of stem attached
Storage: Keep harvested fruit in the fridge for short-term storage. For long-term storage, zucchini can be frozen, canned, or pickled
