Looking for the best way to plant your zucchini this year for strong, healthy plants that produce loads of fruit?
Zucchini can be one of the easiest and most rewarding vegetables to grow in gardens and raised beds. Not only does it grow fast, but it can also produce a tremendous amount of fruit with little effort. Especially when it happens to be planted via seed and not by using transplants!
Although many vegetables benefit from being started indoors and transplanted later, zucchini is not one of them. For starters, zucchini grows so quickly that starting it indoors simply isn’t necessary. But even more, planting from transplants can cause a whole series of issues with the plants you just won’t have with seeds.
Why Growing Zucchini From Seed Is Better Than Using Transplants
So why is growing zucchini from seed so much easier and better than planting transplants? One of the biggest reasons of all is because of just how often and how substantially zucchini plants can be affected by transplant shock.
Any vegetable or flower transplant will go through a bit of transplant shock when first being transplanted. It takes time for roots to adjust to their new surroundings and begin to grow again. It also can be tough to adjust to soil temperature and moisture levels. (See: How To Harden Off Plants – Why Hardening Off Is A Must For Young Transplants!)
But for zucchini, the transition to new soil usually takes a far worse toll on the plant. Zucchini transplants can be quite fragile. And because of that, they don’t handle adjusting well to new soil in the least. Especially early in the season when temperatures can be far cooler and growing conditions far wetter.
When zucchini transplants first go into the ground, outside temperatures can fluctuate quite wildly. Warm days are often followed by cool or even cold nights. This not only heavily delays root growth, it also stresses the young transplants out tremendously.
Even more, hard spring rains and winds often pound down on the plant’s tender foliage as well. That additional stress quickly leads to leaves turning yellow or even falling off. And if all of that wasn’t enough, with little strength left, the plant’s few leaves and stems can easily fall victim to pests and insects.
The Power Of Planting Zucchini From Seed
Zucchini seeds planted directly in the soil, unlike transplants, have a much easier time growing. Because they start in the exact same space and soil they will grow in all season, they adapt to the soil, moisture, and temperature better than transplants.
When you plant zucchini by seed, the plant grows strong from the start without the risk of transplant shock. The roots remain undisturbed, which helps the plant take in nutrients more efficiently. It also adjusts to outdoor conditions right away when sprouting, making it more resilient to temperature changes.
But here is the real key with zucchini plants. More often than not, seeds grow so fast and strong, that within a few weeks of planting, they are bigger than transplants planted at the same time! And they go on to far outgrow and out produce transplants the rest of the season.
With all of those advantages, it’s easy to see why planting zucchini from seed is the best way to grow. So with that in mind – here is a look at a few secrets when planting to get your best harvest ever this year!
The Secrets To Planting Zucchini Seeds
Two of the biggest secrets to success when growing zucchini is to put your plants in the right location and with the right soil.
Zucchini plants need full sun to grow well. Choose a spot in your garden that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day. As for the soil, it needs to be both fertile – and well-draining. That’s because zucchini roots don’t like to sit in water.
Before planting seeds, prepare the soil by loosening it with a shovel, mixing in plenty of compost and worm castings as you do. Compost adds nutrients and important microbial activity to the soil – all while helping the soil drain well but still hold in important moisture to the seeds and soil.
Worm castings are the real secret weapon. They improve soil structure and provide essential minerals for plant growth. Especially young seedlings once they sprout. Affiliate Product Link: 100% Pure Worm Castings.
As of for how much of each into each planting area, a good rule of thumb is two to three cups of compost and 1/2 cup of castings. If your soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or organic matter to help improve drainage.
Planting Seeds On A Slight Hill
Zucchini grows best when planted in small hills or mounds. This keeps the roots from sitting in too much water and helps warm the soil faster. This also helps improves airflow around the plant, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Affiliate Seed Link: Sow Right Seeds – Black Beauty Zucchini Seeds
To make a hill, pile up soil about three to five inches high and 12 inches in diameter. It’s best to flatten the top center area slightly so water can find its way to seeds. Plant two to three seeds in the center of each hill, spacing them a few inches apart. Plant about 1 inch deep.
Water the area well after planting. The soil should be moist but not soggy. Zucchini seeds usually sprout within 5 to 10 days, even quicker if the soil is slightly warmer. Once the seedlings have two sets of true leaves, it’s time to thin them.
Choose the strongest plant and remove the others by cutting them at the base with scissors. Don’t pull out the extra seedlings, as this can disturb the roots of the remaining plant. As for spacing, allow about two to three feet between plants for good airflow.
How To Care For Growing Zucchini
Zucchini plants need consistent moisture but they don’t like wet leaves or soggy soil. Water deeply when watering, but only as the soil begins to dry out. That usually works out to two times a week if rain is not supplying it. Watering in the morning is best so the leaves dry off before nightfall.
Mulching your plants is important as well. Mulch helps retain moisture and keeps weeds down. It also regulates soil temperatures. After the seedlings are established, apply a three-to-four-inch layer of straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings around the plants.
Feeding your plants regularly will help growth and production. But what you feed matters! When the seedlings are about four to six inches tall, it’s best to feed them with a balanced (10-10-10) granular fertilizer.
Once flowers start forming, switch to a liquid fertilizer higher in phosphorus and potassium to boost fruit production. Feed at half of the recommended strength every ten to fourteen days. Affiliate Link: Farmer’s Secret Fruit & Bloom Booster Fertilizer.
Harvesting Zucchini
Zucchini grows fast once it starts producing fruit. It’s best to harvest when the fruits are 6-8 inches long for the best flavor and texture. If you leave zucchini on the plant too long, it will grow large, becoming very tough and seedy.
Do not pull off the fruit. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut the zucchini off the plant. Leaving a small stem attached will help keep it fresh longer. Here’s top growing your best zucchini ever – with seeds!
Simple Garden Life
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