Zucchini are summer squash. They should be picked when they are immature, while the skin is still soft and while the seeds are soft and white. The entire immature vegetable can be eaten: skin, flesh and seeds. Summer squash typically grow on bush-type, mound-shaped plants. The blossoms and fruits of zucchini grow from the center of the plant on short stems, unlike long-vined winter squash varieties. Does this Spark an idea?
Days to Maturity
The seed packet will usually tell you the average number of days to maturity from the time you plant zucchini seeds. Zucchini plants typically produce edible-size fruits in only 40 to 60 days from planting. Zucchini seeds require warm soil to germinate and warm temperatures to grow. Even when the outside temperatures reach as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit, zucchini plants continue to bloom and set fruits. The insects that pollinate zucchini do not appear until the weather has warmed, so extremely early plants usually do not set fruit.
Start Seeds Indoors
For an early crop of zucchini, start seeds indoors about one month before the last expected frost date in your area. Transplant according to the soil temperature. As soon as the soil warms to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, your zucchini seedlings can be transplanted into your garden. In the southern and southwestern U.S., zucchini plants may be set out as early as March. Central U.S. planting zones are usually warm enough to transplant zucchini in late April or May. Gardeners in northern areas may need to wait until early June.
Direct Seed Outdoors
Plant zucchini seeds directly in the garden when the soil temperature is 60 degrees. Plant zucchini seeds at the same time that you set out zucchini transplants: beginning in March in the southern U.S. and gradually later if your location is farther north.
Successive Planting
For the earliest zucchini harvest, start some of your zucchini plants indoors. These plants will have a head start over the seeds you plant directly in the garden at the same time. Make successive plantings every two weeks for a continuous supply of young zucchini.
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