Field guide
How to grow zucchini: planting, care, and harvest guide
Zucchini typically reaches first harvest in 45–65 days. This guide covers when to plant by USDA zone, common pests, harvest cues, and companion plants where relevant.
Open plannerWhen to plant zucchini by USDA zone group
- USDA Zones 1–4 — June
- USDA Zones 5–6 — May to June
- USDA Zones 7–8 — April to May
- USDA Zones 9–10 — March to April
- USDA Zones 11–13 — February to March
Companion plants
Good companions: Sweet Corn, beans, Nasturtiums
Avoid planting with: Potatoes
Harvest
When to pick
- Best at 6-8 inches — don't let them turn into baseball bats
- Skin should be shiny and tender enough to dent with a fingernail
- Check daily once fruiting starts — they can double in size overnight
How: Cut stem 1 inch from the fruit with a knife. Never twist or pull. Harvest male flowers for stuffing (leave some for pollination).
Storage: Refrigerate unwashed for up to a week. Grate and freeze for baking. Doesn't can well.
Common pests and problems
Squash Vine Borer
Signs: Sudden wilting, sawdust-like frass at base of stems
Control: Wrap lower stems with aluminum foil. Row covers until flowering. Inject Bt into affected stems. Succession plant to replace lost plants.
Squash Bug
Signs: Bronze-brown shield-shaped bugs, clusters of bronze eggs on leaf undersides, wilting leaves
Control: Hand-pick adults and crush eggs daily. Place boards near plants — bugs hide underneath at night for easy morning collection. Neem oil on nymphs.
Powdery Mildew
Signs: White powdery spots on leaves, eventually covering entire leaf
Control: Good air circulation. Milk spray (40/60). Potassium bicarbonate spray. Remove heavily infected leaves.
About this field guide
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