Sowing

• Zucchini can be grown both by transplanting and growing it directly in the container or raised beds.
• Sow Zucchini seeds in a container with drainage holes filled with 2 part garden soil & 1 part any organic manure or 1 part garden soil, 1 part coco peat & 1 part Vermicompost.
• In containers, sow 2 zucchini seeds at the centre and on a raised bed, sow two seeds at a spacing of 3 x 3 ft.
• Push the seeds in to the growing medium lightly (twice the seed length) and cover with a light sprinkling of soil.
• Water immediately with a light shower from a watering can, don’t displace the seeds
• Zucchini requires full sunlight to grow, so place your growing containers or raised beds in area with full sunlight

Caring

• The zucchini seeds will germinate within the first 6 - 8 days after sowing and you will notice tiny sprouts growing.
• After the second week, keep only single seedling at one spot and cut off the weak, small & lagging seedlings with a pair of scissors.
• Water the zucchini plant every day in summers with a watering can to ensure even watering or use a drip irrigation system.
• Add good quality organic manure of your choice in the soil with 2:1 ratio at the time sowing It can be either well rotten cow dung manure, farmyard manure, compost or vermicompost.
• At 45 days from sowing, feed one tablespoon of 15:15:15 (NPK) fertilizer per plant or mix handful of vermicompost in the soil around each plant.
• Keep a watch for early signs of any insect/fungal or any other infections and use appropriate medicines in such cases.
• To increase the overall production of zucchini, take pollens from the male flower on painting brush or cotton bud & dust them on ‘stigma’ of female flowers.
• Your zucchini plants will flower at 25 to 30 days from sowing and the vegetable will be ready for harvest 55-60 days from sowing.

Common Problems

Why are my Zucchini seeds not germinating?
Growing conditions like moisture, improper soil temperature, over watering or under watering can all be a reason why your seeds are not germinating.
Why are flowers on my zucchini plant not producing cucumbers?
The Zucchini plant has both male and female flowers. The male flowers bloom much before the female flowers. So it is possible that these flowers are not producing any fruit yet because they are male flowers. However, if despite of having abundant male and female flowers if your plant is not producing any cucumbers, it can be due to lack of pollination. To avoid this you can try hand pollination. Take pollens from the male flower on painting brush or cotton bud & dust them on ‘stigma’ of female flowers.
Why are my Zucchini seedlings wilting?
Overwatering is the main cause for wilting. Too much water can drown your seedlings and deprive their roots of air, which leads to wilting and your seedlings might eventually die.