Zucchini Squash (Cucurbita pepo) is a popular summer squash known for its tender, flavorful fruits and heavy yields. Fast-growing and highly productive, zucchini plants provide an abundant harvest throughout the summer. Perfect for grilling, sautéing, baking, or fresh salads, zucchini is a versatile kitchen staple. These plants thrive in gardens, raised beds, or large containers, making them ideal for home gardeners of all levels.
Seed Information
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Type: Vegetable Seeds
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Common Name: Zucchini, Summer Squash
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Genus: Cucurbita
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Species: Cucurbita pepo
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Life Cycle: Annual
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Features: Fast growing, heavy yields, versatile culinary use, easy to grow
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Season of Interest: Summer harvest
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Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor (garden beds, raised beds, containers)
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Sunlight: Full sun
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Cultivating Difficulty: Easy
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Watering: Moderate, prefers consistent moisture
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Climate: Warm-season crop; Temperate, Mediterranean, Humid Subtropical
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Growth Habit: Bushy, spreading vines, 2–3 ft tall
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Soil Type: Fertile, well-draining loam enriched with compost
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Soil pH: 6.0–7.5
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Planting Time: Late spring after last frost
Grow Instructions
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When to Plant: Direct sow outdoors after frost when soil is warm, or start indoors 2–3 weeks early
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Soil: Fertile, well-draining soil rich in organic matter
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Sunlight: Full sun (6–8 hrs daily)
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Watering: Keep soil evenly moist; avoid overhead watering to reduce mildew
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Spacing: 24–36 inches apart in rows 3–4 ft apart
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Germination: 7–10 days at 70–85°F (21–29°C)
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Harvest: 45–60 days after sowing; harvest young fruits 6–8 inches long for best flavor
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Tips: Pick regularly to encourage continuous production; mulch to retain soil moisture and control weeds