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Zucchini

Cucurbita pepo

Vegetable

Zucchini is one of the most productive summer vegetables, capable of overwhelming gardeners with its output. Part of the classic Three Sisters guild alongside corn and beans, it shades the ground to suppress weeds.

Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full Sun

Water Needs

Moderate

Soil

Rich, well-draining loam; pH 6.0–7.5

Spacing

24–36 inches

Days to Maturity

45–65 days from direct sow

Growing Zones

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Thrives in USDA Zones 3–11

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Keep Away From

When to Plant

  • Start Indoors

    3–4 weeks before last frost

  • Direct Sow

    1 week after last frost, soil 60°F+

  • Harvest

    45–65 days from sowing

Organic Growing Tips

  • Plant borage nearby to repel squash bugs and attract pollinators for better fruit set.

  • Inspect the base of stems weekly for squash vine borer eggs and remove by hand.

  • Direct sow a second succession planting 4 weeks after the first to extend harvest.

  • Apply kaolin clay to stems as a physical barrier against squash vine borers.

Common Pests

  • Squash Vine Borer
  • Squash Bug
  • Cucumber Beetle
  • Powdery Mildew
  • Aphids

All pest management in Garden uses safe, organic, non-toxic methods only. No synthetic pesticides, ever.