Starting Seeds: You can start zucchini seeds indoors in peat pots and transfer them out into the garden a couple of weeks after the last frost when the soil is warm. Zucchini like moist soil (not wet) that is well mixed with compost and manure. They don’t like acid soil.
Plant zucchini seeds directly in the soil (or even on a compost heap) after all danger of frost has passed. They prefer loose soil (that is not too compacted), so it should be well turned and not trod on. It helps to mix in plenty of compost. Deep bed plantings do very well.
Planting in Garden: Zucchini sprawl across the ground, so need 4-6 feet around them. Plants that will be trained to climb poles can be closer together. Deep beds can tolerate closer plants. Keep beds well watered. Cover beds with hay to keep weeds back and soil moist. Then growing zucchini also have a bed of hay to rest on. Climbing plants should be pinched off on top when they reach the top of the trellis.
Harvest: Pick and eat zucchini when they are small and tasty. The plant will continue to produce as you pick. It’s better to cut the stem, rather than breaking it off, which can bruise the plant and lead to rot.
Pests: Dry soil and humid weather can lead to mildew that forms white patches on the leaves. Water them more!
