Zucchini did not appear in the top ten most popular vegetables among Germans in 2023 either. This is probably because the small, slim pumpkins are rarely used as raw food. Tomatoes, carrots and cucumbers are clearly ahead in these statistics for exactly this reason. The zucchini, which comes from Peru and Mexico and later “immigrated” from southern Europe, is very well used in kitchens here. They are suitable for frying, refining casseroles, as oven vegetables or as a vegan alternative for the grill. This is another reason why many vegetable fans are choosing to plant zucchini this gardening season. In this article you will find out what you need to pay attention to, what mistakes you should avoid and when the best time is to make them.
As with tomatoes, peppers and some other vegetables, there are two ways to plant zucchini. Team Impatience buys a bag of seeds in the spring (e.g. the “Black Beauty” variety) and grows young zucchini plants on the windowsill at home. With so-called pre-cultivation, zucchini usually germinate within a week (room temperature approx. 20°C). If you pack the seeds into seed pots in April, you can plant the young plants in the bed in mid-May.
If you can’t wait, you should cover them with garden foil at least overnight after checking the weather forecast. Team Relaxation waits until mid/end of May and sows the zucchini directly outdoors. If you don’t have a garden, you can also cultivate zucchini in a small balcony raised bed or larger container. Attention: Always plant two plants so that they can fertilize each other. Smaller varieties should be planted about 60 centimeters apart. Larger ones require up to one meter of space.
Zucchini are so-called heavy feeders. This means that they should be regularly and well supplied with nutrients. Mature compost, loose soil and a thin layer of mulch made from grass clippings are the perfect breeding ground for later harvest success. In addition, zucchini should be watered well in the morning if possible. Why: When soil and root balls dry out, the fruits can become bitter. If you don’t want to wait the six to eight weeks from sowing to the first harvest, you can get pre-cultivated zucchini from well-stocked garden shops. Here, too, you should follow the weather forecast when planting and wait for possible night frost.
Tip for raised beds
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As already indicated, zucchini develop best on soil that is as loose, nutrient-rich and humus-rich as possible. Due to their origin, zucchini love the sun, but can also live well in partially shaded locations. They naturally don’t like frost at all. This is another reason why we would like to point out that if possible, only put them outside after the Ice Saints in mid-May.
Those: Statesman
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