🥕 Zucchini
Cucurbita pepo
vegetables fruit (culinary vegetable, summer squash)
☀️ Sun
Full sun (6–8+ hours); one of the most sun-demanding vegetables
💧 Water
High; 1–2 inches per week; heavy mulching retains moisture; water at base to prevent powdery mildew on leaves
🗺️ Zones
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
🪴 Soil Type
Very rich, well-drained soil with heavy compost amendment; squash are notoriously heavy feeders — plant in old compost piles for spectacular results
🧪 Soil pH
6.0–7.5 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline)
💧 Drainage
Moisture-retentive but well-drained; raised mounds (hills) preferred for drainage and warmth
📏 Spacing
24–36 inches apart in rows 48–60 inches apart; bush varieties need slightly less
📅 Days to Maturity
45-55 days (from seed); harvest at 6-8 inches for best quality
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ ["Fruit (entire young zucchini)"🍽️ "Flowers (male blossoms \u2014 stuffed🍽️ fried)"🍽️ "Seeds (roasted)"]
🤝 Companions (7)
🤝 Corn
Three Sisters guild — zucchini benefits from nitrogen fixed by beans; corn provides partial wind protection
🤝 Bean (bush/pole)
Beans fix nitrogen that zucchini heavily consumes; a perfect nutritional pairing
Repels squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and whiteflies; trap crop for aphids; edible flowers attract pollinators
Suppresses root-knot nematodes; repels squash bugs and cucumber beetles
Repels squash vine borers and cucumber beetles; fast-growing — harvested before zucchini sprawls
Attracts predatory wasps that parasitize squash bugs and cucumber beetles; improves growth
Attracts bees ensuring excellent pollination; improves zucchini growth and flavor; adds minerals to soil
⚠️ Keep Apart (3)
💊 Medicinal Uses
["Rich in vitamins A, C, and manganese; low calorie, high fiber", "Contains significant potassium (helpful for blood pressure)", "High water content \u2014 hydrating; easily digestible, often used as one of first baby foods", "Traditional: zucchini poultice used externally for skin inflammation"]
📝 Notes
Zucchini is a summer squash — harvested immature with soft skin. One or two plants feed a family (they're famously prolific!). Powdery mildew is the most common disease — prevent with good air circulation, water at base. Hand-pollinate if bee activity is low. Harvest at 6–8 inches for best flavor and texture. Male flowers appear first, female flowers have tiny fruit at base.