What is the best time to plant zucchini and summer squash?
What is the best time to plant zucchini and summer squash?
Answer:
Jonathan Foster, Community Education Assistant
We recommend planting zucchini and summer squash from late May to early July, depending on the season’s temperatures and rainfall. It’s a warm season crop, so it needs warmair, warm soil, and no chance of frost. You can find the excellent UMaine garden planting schedulehere, and some further information on growing your summer squash crops from the UMaryland Cooperative Extensionhere.
FAQs
A quick guide to summer squash and zucchini
What month do you plant squash and zucchini? ›
We recommend planting zucchini and summer squash from late May to early July, depending on the season's temperatures and rainfall. It's a warm season crop, so it needs warm air, warm soil, and no chance of frost.
When to plant different vegetables in Maine? ›
Planting Chart for the Home Vegetable Garden
| Crop | Average yield | Planting date in central Maine* |
|---|
| Cabbage | 3/4 – 3 lbs/plant | 5/1 – 8/1 |
| Carrots | 10 lbs/10 ft row | 5/1 – 7/15 |
| Corn | 20-24 ears/10 ft row | 5/15 – 7/1 |
| Cucumbers | 10 fruits/plant | 6/1 – 7/15 |
17 more rowsThere will be no problem planting these varieties together as long as you are not going to save seeds for next year. If you do save the seeds for the following year then you will end up with an unpredictable hybrid between the plants. Wait until it gets warm before you plant them outside.
What not to plant with squash and zucchini? ›
You may want to experiment with different companion crops until you find the perfect combination to fit your personal tastes and growing conditions. Avoid planting zucchini and summer squash with all other vining plants which include cucumbers and sweet potatoes as well as pumpkins, winter squashes, and melons.
What is the best fertilizer for zucchini and squash? ›
An ideal zucchini plant fertilizer will certainly contain nitrogen. An all-purpose food like 10-10-10 is generally sufficient for zucchini plant needs. They contain plenty of nitrogen to facilitate healthy growth as well as necessary potassium and phosphorus to boost fruit production.
Do zucchini like morning sun or afternoon sun? ›
Zucchinis need to be planted in an area that receives full sun, meaning 6 or more hours of direct sun each day. Southern exposure is ideal for most sun-loving vegetables where they receive light during the majority of the day but are protected from the strongest afternoon sun.
Do zucchini and squash like full sun? ›
Where to Plant Zucchini. Zucchini needs full sun (at least 6 to 8 hours) and consistently moist soil that is high in organic matter. Some zucchini varieties are vining types that require a trellis or a lot of room to sprawl. There are also bush types suitable for container gardening and small space gardening.
How often should I water zucchini? ›
Watering Zucchinis
One inch of water per week should suffice, but water more often if the weather is particularly hot and dry. Well-draining soil is a must—if it water pools and remains stagnant around the roots, they will start to rot. Avoid letting your soil dry out; this can increase the risk of blossom end rot.
What is a companion plant for zucchini? ›
"Companion plants such as marigolds, nasturtiums, and radishes can help improve zucchini growth, flavor, and pest resistance by attracting beneficial insects and repelling harmful pests," says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed's From Seed to Spoon app.
Verdict: Unless you have a magnesium deficiency in your garden, there is no need to add Epsom salts. Doing so could even be harmful to soil, plants and water.
When should you not use zucchini? ›
Bad zucchini will feel rubbery or slimy to the touch. It may also have an off-putting smell and dark or fuzzy moldy spots. The interior of bad zucchini may be off-white to brownish with stringy, mushy flesh and large, hard seeds.
Can you put mulch around zucchini plants? ›
Mulching around your zucchini plants after they have emerged can help the soil retain water, especially important if you're having a dry summer. Make sure your zucchini plants get at least two inches of water per week. Water zucchini using a soaker hose as watering from a can may lead to mildew on the plant's leaves.
What season is best to plant squash? ›
Squashes are usually sown indoors in spring, for more reliable germination and to give them a head start, then planted out after the last frost. They can be sown outdoors too, but not until late May or early June.
What month is zucchini in season? ›
As implied by the term summer squash, zucchini's prime season is May to August, although they are now available year-round. Summer squash has a thin, soft skin and soft edible seeds, whereas winter squash has a hard skin.
Do you need 2 zucchini plants to get fruit? ›
Plant Two or More Varieties of Zucchini
That increases the odds of pollination. Other summer squashes and pumpkins will also pollinate zucchini. Keep in mind that zucchini are self-fertile, so you don't need multiple plants for pollination. But having more than one can improve fruit set.
How late can you plant squash? ›
Yellow squash can be sown from mid-March through April for an early summer harvest and from late-July through August for a fall harvest.
