🌿 Green zucchini

Grow them in deep, fertile, well-drained soil, or in sandy loam rich in organic matter. Incorporate compost or well-decomposed manure before planting; zucchini feed a lot. Keep the soil evenly moist, but never soggy (raised beds or mounds are useful where drainage is poor), and avoid compacted soils to encourage rapid root growth. Maintain soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5; mulch helps conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature.

Sow only when there's no risk of frost and the weather is reasonably warm. Zucchini seeds germinate best in warm soil: minimum around 15°C, ideally 18-24°C. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot, with fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost; avoid waterlogged soils. Direct sowing: Form small mounds or sow in rows. Sow 2-3 seeds per station, 2-3 cm deep, then water gently. When seedlings have 1 or 2 true leaves, thin out to the strongest plant per station. Typical spacing is around 90-120 cm between plants and 120-150 cm between rows (or leave a similar space per plant if growing in beds) to maintain air circulation and reduce disease. Transplants: If you need an earlier start, sow indoors in individual pots 2-4 weeks before planting (zucchinis don't like roots disturbed). Maintain at a temperature of ~20-25°C and provide plenty of light. Harden off for 7-10 days and transplant outdoors only when the nights are warm and the soil has reached at least ~15°C. Plant at the same depth as in the pot and water well. After sowing/planting: Keep the soil evenly moist (don't let the seedlings dry out) and apply mulch once the soil has warmed up to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Water at the base to keep foliage dry. Avoid nitrogen at the start of cultivation (it can promote the appearance of leaves on fruit); maintain regular growth with constant humidity and fertility.

Wherever possible, fertilization should be based on a soil analysis. Before planting, incorporate the finished compost and apply a balanced fertilizer (e.g. 5-5-5 or 10-10-10) at the rates indicated on the label, in strips or as a mixture in the first 10 to 15 centimetres of soil. Avoid early nitrogen excess, which favors vine growth to the detriment of flowers and fruit. Apply a small amount of nitrogen (e.g. calcium nitrate or another nitrogen source) 15-20 cm from the stem and water in. A second light application can be made after the first harvest if growth and yield slow down. Maintain regular soil moisture to promote nutrient absorption. Ensure an adequate calcium supply (and regular watering) to reduce rotting of flower tips; if soil pH is low, apply lime before planting. In containers, use a balanced slow-release fertilizer and a periodic half-dose liquid feed every 2-3 weeks during active growth, rinsing occasionally to prevent salt build-up.

Once the soil has warmed up, apply a 5-7 cm layer of organic mulch (clean straw, shredded leaves or compost) around the plants to conserve moisture, moderate soil temperature and suppress weeds. Keep mulch a few centimetres from the stem/crown to reduce rot and improve air circulation, especially in wet weather; avoid piling mulch against stems. Maintain an even cover throughout the season, topping it up as it decomposes, and watch out for slugs and snails that can hide under thick mulch.