Let me be very honest with you, I’m personally not the biggest fan of zucchini. I’m more of a cucumber person, you know.
But, my family absolutely LOVES zucchini; I’m pretty sure they’d cry if I told them this season’s zucchini harvest went bad. My mom even adds zucchini to dishes that aren’t supposed to have any zucchini in them!
Over the course of my gardening journey, I have grown zucchini a dozen times at least. In this article, I’ll be sharing with you all that I’ve learned about zucchini-growing in the form of some tips that might possibly help you achieve bigger harvests too. Let’s dive right into it!
Why Zucchini Sometimes Fail To Produce?
Though you might think the underlying reason must be very complex or something out of your control, it’s actually often quite common.
Tips For A Big, Healthy Zucchini Harvest
Tip 1: Plant Zucchini In Full Sun
Zucchini, fortunately or unfortunately, needs at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight on a daily basis to grow well. Partial or complete shade is likely to result in weak growth and low fruit set.
Tip 2: Give Each Plant Plenty Of Space
Yep, zucchini need plenty of space to grow to their fullest potential. 2-3 feet apart in rows, or one zucchini plant per large grow bag, should work well. Try not to overcrowd spaces, as that can reduce airflow and yield.
Here’s a full guide on how far apart to plant zucchini to help you get the spacing just right.
Tip 3: Choose A Productive Variety
Look for compact or high-yield zucchini hybrids like ‘Black Beauty’ or ‘Eight Ball’. Each variety has its upsides and potential downsides. Some are better suited for smaller spaces, while others require a larger area to grow freely.
Tip 4: Start With Rich, Well-Draining Soil
Before you get to the planting part, add some compost or aged manure to your soil. Zucchini is a very heavy-feeder and needs fertile soil to grow optimally.
Tip 5: Water Consistently (And, At The Base)
Whenever you water your zucchini plants, avoid getting the leaves wet, as it raises the likelihood of fungal and pest issues. Stick to your watering routine because inconsistent watering can lead to blossom end rot.
If you struggle with your zucchinis rotting before they’re ready to harves, don’t worry, here’s why that happens and how to fix it.
Tip 6: Feed Your Plants As They Grow
For fertilization, use a balanced fertilizer every 2–3 weeks during fruiting. Liquid compost tea or organic blends can also work well as alternatives.
Tip 7: Hand-Pollinate If Bees Are Sparse
If you notice that bee visits in your garden are becoming more and more infrequent, it may be a good idea to take pollination matters into your own hands.
Use a small brush or cotton swab to transfer pollen. Doing this will boost fruit sets, especially in urban or container gardens.
Tip 8: Harvest Frequently For More Fruit
Picking young zucchini encourages the plant to keep producing. You also want to do it more frequently for better fruiting results. Check your zucchini plants daily once fruiting begins.
Here’s how to tell when zucchini are ready for harvest so you don’t miss the perfect window.
Tip 9: Watch For Powdery Mildew & Act Early
If fungal infections have already started taking over, remove affected leaves and spray the plant down with neem oil or a baking soda solution. Try to improve the airflow around the plant, as it prevents the spread of such diseases.
This guide on powdery mildew in zucchini walks you through exactly how to handle it and save your plants.
Tip 10: Mulch To Retain Moisture & Prevent Weeds
Use straw, shredded leaves, or compost as mulch to help maintain moisture levels in the soil and reduce weeds. Mulch will also keep the soil cool and reduce any unnecessary stress placed on the zucchini plants.
Tip 11: Support Large Plants With A Cage Or Trellis
If you’re dealing with zucchini plants of extremely large size, it may be a good idea to use a cage or trellis to keep fruit off the ground and reduce rot. This is especially helpful in containers or tight spaces.
Tip 12: Remove Old Leaves To Focus Growth On New Fruit
Though this might sound counterproductive, you actually want to prune bottom leaves once your zucchini plant is well-established. It encourages airflow and energy for fruiting.
Here’s a simple guide on how to prune zucchini for maximum production.
Conclusion
Growing zucchini is undoubtedly a challenging task. The plants take up a lot of space, the fruit often runs into pest-related issues, and the whole thing just becomes a mess.
But by implementing the simple tips and strategies above, I’m confident you’ll be equipped to handle 95% of common zucchini problems with ease. If you have any zucchini-growing lessons that you’ve learned while growing zucchini, don’t hesitate to drop them below!
