Vegetable Grow Guides
How to Grow Organic Squash & Zucchini from Seed
Cucurbita pepo and related species
About Squash & Zucchini
Summer squash (zucchini, yellow, pattypan) is eaten immature. Winter squash (acorn, butternut, delicata) is cured and stored. Two summer plants and two winter plants feed most households of 4–6. Summer squash and many pumpkins are the same species (C. pepo) and can cross; this year’s fruit is unaffected, but saved seed will not grow true-to-type.
When to Plant
Sow after last frost when soil is 70°F. Do not use rose or lilac bloom as your only cue — use soil temperature and your frost date.
How to Plant
Hills: 3 seeds 1 inch deep, thin to 2, hills 3–4 ft (summer) or 4–6 ft (winter). About 0.25–0.5 plants per square foot. Full sun. Water at the base. Hand-pollinate if fruit aborts (touch male flower pollen to female).
When to Harvest
Summer: pick zucchini at 6–8 inches, every other day. Winter: harvest when rinds harden and stems cork, before frost; cure 10 days.