Costata Romanesco Zucchini Squash Seed

Scientific name

Cucurbita pepo

Soil and setup

Zucchini grows best in fertile, well-drained soil at pH 5.8–6.8. Black plastic mulch warms the bed, and a lightweight row cover helps young plants get going while keeping insects off; take the cover off when flowers open so bees can reach them. Misshapen or shriveled fruit usually means too little pollination. Plant again every 2–3 weeks if you want a steady supply of top-quality fruit.

Days to maturity

Counted from direct sowing. Transplants start bearing about two weeks sooner.

Plant spacing

Allow 18–24" between plants and 6' between rows. Giving plants a little more room makes picking easier.

Disease

Powdery mildew, downy mildew, bacterial wilt and Phytophthora are the main diseases. Good drainage, open airflow, beetle control and rotation away from cucurbits prevent most trouble; ask your county Extension office about control options if needed.

Insect pests

Striped and spotted cucumber beetles, squash bugs and squash vine borers are the usual problems on this crop family. Floating row cover shields young plants. Look under the leaves for clusters of bronze squash bug eggs and crush them. If a borer gets into a vine, slit the stem to remove it and mound soil over the cut so the vine can reroot. Mowing field edges, clearing crop debris in fall and plowing in spring all cut down on overwintering pests; pyrethrin gives partial control.

Harvest

The first few fruits on a plant are often stunted or blackened at the tip because few male flowers are open yet; this sorts itself out within a week or two. Once plants are bearing, pick two or three times a week, cutting or twisting fruits off at 6–8" long. Zucchini skin marks easily, so handle it gently.

Edible flowers

Pick blossoms mid to late morning while fully open, cutting 1–2" below the flower. Male blooms sit on slender stems; female blooms have a thick stem with a tiny fruit at the base. If you also want fruit, take mostly male flowers and leave some to pollinate the females.

Storage

Keep fruit at 40–50°F (5–10°C) and about 95% relative humidity for up to 2 weeks; it is best eaten soon after picking.

Seeding rate

At 3 seeds per foot in rows 6' apart: about 250 seeds per 83 ft., 500 per 166 ft. and 1,000 per 333 ft.

Seeds per lb.

About 3,400 on average.

Packet

25 seeds.

Seeds per lb.

About 2,700 on average.