How to Grow Zucchini Plants

Zucchinis are a winner for being one of the quickest — and easiest — members of the squash family to grow.

Excerpted from Ready, Set, Grow! by DK BooksDorling Kindersley
Filed under: Vegetable Gardening, How To, Vegetables

Grow zucchini plants in full sun and use moist, rich seed compost. The plants will grow to about 2 ft (60 cm) high. The seeds germinate in 1 week, and the zucchinis are ready to harvest in 12 weeks. Zucchini plants are known as a plentiful crop, so you'll have enough to give away.

Materials Needed:

propagator
zucchini seeds
large container
potting soil

mulch
small pot (with holes in base)
tomato fertilizer
compost tea

1. Grow your seeds in a propagator.

Make a 1/2-inch-deep hole, then push two seeds (on their sides) into the hole. When the seedlings appear, pull out the weakest one. Cover the propagator with a small container that has holes poked through it to create the ideal germinating conditions.

Push Squash Seed into Soil of Propagator

2. Dig a hole.

Dig out a hole in a large prepared container. Once the seedling has grown, you can squeeze the bottle to remove the plant. Place the plant in the hole, firm the soil around it, and water well.