Zucchini

Zucchini

• Why you should grow it:
  • Zucchini is plentiful, it will continue to fruit throughout the season
    • There’s always another zucchini hiding under the leaves
  • Low maintenance, but needs good sun and rich soil, after that, you can leave it to grow
  • Great money saver, zucchini can be pricey, but it’s so easy to grow
  • Does like to spread, but can grow on the patio

• How to start seeds
  • Start indoors in early spring or direct plant late spring or early summer
  • Plant in mounds, you can plant a single plant or 3 plants together for good pollination
  • For fruit to grow, the flowers need to be pollinated
  • The mounds allow for good drainage and for the roots to warm up quickly

• Tips for growth
  • Water the ground, powdery mildew is the main issue which is spread by moisture
  • Water in the morning to allow for the plants to dry out through the day

• Harvesting
  • Harvest regularly to promote growth
  • Pick early pick often
  • Don’t let them get too big, pick when they are bet 4-6″ long, they’ll taste woody
  • Use a knife to get a clean cut and not to hurt the plant

• Saving Seeds
  • Leave the fruit on the vine for as long as you can, way beyond edible
  • The longer you leave on the vine the more sugar will be stored into the seeds and the longer it will be viable
  • Scoop out the seeds, rinse and fully dry
  • Label and store in a cool and dry place