Growing zucchini is probably one of the easiest parts of gardening. They are almost a plant-it-and-forget-it kind of veggie. Growing zucchini in pots is not that much harder than it is in the ground, but it can be a bit more tricky and definitely does have a learning curve. This step-by-step guide will help you to plant and grow your zucchini plants easily.
Best Zucchini Varieties to grow in containers
Zucchini is a popular summer vegetable that has two main types. Large varieties are advised for growing in containers, whereas bush varieties are suitable for gardens.
Here are some tips on how best to care for it:
– Astea: As a French variety of bush, Astea was specifically developed for growing in containers. These fruits grow at the base of the plant, making it easier to harvest them during 48 days time.
– Buckingham Patio: This is a great addition to any backyard garden. They grow in just about all climates, and produce beautiful yellow fruit that is ready for harvest within 40 days of planting them!
– Bush Baby: Bush Baby plants grow to be 18-24 inches in height and produce courgettes that are as adorable as they come. These dark green vegetables with grey stripes only measure 6 inches but mature within 59 days.
– Dark Green: The ‘Dark Green’ variety of cucumber produces dark green, 6- to 8 inch long fruits with pale flesh. This vigorous heirloom plant reaches a mature height of 24-36 inches and is usually ready for harvesting in 45 – 55 days after planting.
– Golden: For decades, this golden fruit has been a favorite in gardens. A bush variety that tops out at 3 to 4 feet tall, these bright yellow fruits are harvest-ready 50 days after planting and provide plenty of produce throughout the summer months.
– Grey: You know that one zucchini with the crazy green and white speckled skin? It goes by Grey or Tender Gray. This heat-resistant bush variety grows to a mature height of 24-36 inches! At six inches long, these fruits are medium in color—green on the outside but flecks of gray start coming through at about 4 ounces before turning bulbous. And as though they’re not cool enough already…this plant has an amazingly long harvest period: 42 – 45 days from seedling to ripe fruit ready for your plate!
An Effective 6 Steps Guide To Grow Zucchini In A Pot
1. Choosing a Container
Some plants are shallow rooted and require nodeep pots. Some considerations for pot size depend largely on the variety you have chosen, but a container that is around 18 inches deep should be sufficient to hold 5-gallons of soil or other material like rocks.
Containers can come made from different materials such as plastic, ceramic, or terracotta; however, they must also contain at least one drainage hole in order to prevent your plant from drowning if it needs more water added than what’s already present in its environment!
2. Soil
As a type of squash, Zucchini plants need moist soil to grow. Organic potting mix will retain water and keep the plant happy!
3. Location
Zucchini plants are in favor of warmth. They actually need it to grow best! Zucchini thrive in temperatures between 70 F (21 C) and 40 F (4 C). 6 hours of sunlight per day is also essential for growth.
These adorable squash should be placed in the sunniest spot possible if you want them growing fast – preferably a sunny window sill or patio garden with lots of sunshine all year long!
4. Planting and watering
Please note that Zucchini is a plant you can’t sow its seeds any time. To grow zucchini, the soil temperature must be at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 Celsius). If it’s below that degree for too long of a period, then the seed will most likely not germinate!
However if one starts planting in late March or April when temperatures are warmer and last until early November, this flowering squash could produce up to 5 kilograms each during one growing season – making them heavy producers needing space between plants so they can be grown comfortably.
When sowing these seeds please leave 4 inches distance from other ones as well. These plants will love your garden if you properly maintain them.
because they need moist soil, water carefully by keeping the 1st inch of the surface always moist and watering once a week in winter but raise it to three times per week during summer months.
5. Caring for Your Zucchini
When the main stem reaches at least 2 to 3 feet, start removing any dead or damaged leaves. While you’re pruning during this time of year, your plants should produce harvest-ready fruit which is ripe and ready for picking.
Pick them carefully not to damage the plant with full sun exposure and pick only what you will eat because these are heavy feeders that require 10 pounds of fertilizer per year in order to maintain great production rates. The best types include nitrogen (10%), potassium (10%) and phosphorous(10%).
While you can find these on a grocery store shelf, it’s recommended adding composting into everyday garden maintenance routine by adding mulch after application – slow down water drainage from rainfall prolongs watering duration. Spread a two-inch deep layer of compost over the soil and work it in, up to 8-inches deep.
Mulching can consist of organic mulch made from shredded leaves or grass clippings. The best time for this is before planting your crops – 2 inches should be enough around seedlings.
6. Harvesting
The zucchini plants produce squash as fast and furiously as they can once the plant is mature enough to do so. As soon as you see that each of your seedlings has grown 4 inches long, it’s time for harvest – but be careful not to pick too many at once or else you will stop production!
If a day goes by without checking on them, just one inch could have been wasted due to neglecting these delicate fruits.
