How to Grow Zucchini

Beginner-Friendly

Cucurbita pepo var. cylindrica

A prolific summer squash. Bush habit suits square-foot gardening. One plant can produce 3–5 kg of fruit per season.

Last updated: June 2026

Days to Maturity

45–60 days

typical

Per Square Foot

Plant Spacing

46 cm / 18"

Sun

8+ hours

Water

1.5" / 38 mm

Fertilization

heavy feeder

Growing Notes

Direct sow or transplant after last frost. Harvest at 15–20 cm for best flavour. Pick daily in peak season.

Varieties & Cultivars

9 cultivars in our database. Click any card to see growing details.

1920s heirloom

(1)

Black Beauty

50–55 days Open-Pollinated

bush type; very prolific

Height: 18–24" (46–61 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 7.1 oz (200 g)
Support: none
Harvest: continuous
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: easy
Seed viability: 4 years

Bright yellow open-pollinated

(1)

Golden

50–55 days Open-Pollinated

mild sweet flavour

Height: 18–30" (46–76 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 6.3 oz (180 g)
Support: none
Harvest: continuous
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: easy
Seed viability: 4 years

Compact bush type

(1)

Blackberry

50–60 days Open-Pollinated

good for containers; heavy producer; sweet flavour

Height: 12–18" (30–46 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 0.4 oz (12 g)
Support: none
Harvest: continuous
USDA Zones: 3–10
Seed saving: easy
Seed viability: 4 years

Compact hybrid

(1)

Dunja

47–52 days Hybrid

strong PMV and ZYMV resistance; high yields

Height: 18–24" (46–61 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 7.1 oz (200 g)
Support: none
Harvest: continuous
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: moderate
Seed viability: 4 years

Dark green hybrid

(1)

Dark Star

45–50 days Hybrid

PMV and WMV tolerant; spineless stems

Height: 18–24" (46–61 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 7.1 oz (200 g)
Support: none
Harvest: continuous
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: moderate
Seed viability: 4 years

French heirloom

(1)

Ronde de Nice

45–52 days Open-Pollinated

best picked at 5-8cm; ideal for stuffing

Height: 18–30" (46–76 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 5.3 oz (150 g)
Support: none
Harvest: continuous
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: easy
Seed viability: 4 years

Italian heirloom

(2)

Cocozelle

50–60 days Open-Pollinated

tender sweet flavour; compact growth; excellent for grilling

Height: 12–18" (30–46 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 0.4 oz (11 g)
Support: none
Harvest: continuous
USDA Zones: 3–10
Seed saving: easy
Seed viability: 4 years

Costata Romanesco

52–60 days Open-Pollinated

nutty flavour; outstanding fried as blossoms

Height: 18–30" (46–76 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 7.9 oz (225 g)
Support: none
Harvest: continuous
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: easy
Seed viability: 4 years

Long cylindrical yellow-green striped fruit

(1)

Plantain

50–60 days Open-Pollinated

tender mild flavour; prolific producer

Height: 12–18" (30–46 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 0.5 oz (15 g)
Support: none
Harvest: continuous
USDA Zones: 3–10
Seed saving: easy
Seed viability: 4 years

Companion Planting

What to grow alongside zucchini, and what to keep apart.

Plant With

Oregano : Oregano provides general pest repellent near zucchini

Radish : Radishes repel squash vine borers from zucchini

Beans : Beans fix nitrogen that zucchini uses as a heavy feeder

Sunflower : Sunflower pollinator attraction and wind protection benefit zucchini

Corn : Zucchini leaves shade soil and suppress weeds around corn

Keep Apart

Potato : Zucchini may promote potato blight

Square Foot Spacing

1 per sq ft

12" apart (entire square)

View full spacing chart →

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