A Step-By-Step Guide to Growing Potted Zucchini on Your Patio or Deck
Zucchini or summer squash are much-loved vegetables, appreciated for their qualities and their adaptability in cooking. With their high water content and low-calorie count, they’re ideal for individuals on a low-calorie diet. Plus, they boast essential nutrients like potassium and manganese. Thanks to the great variety and choice, it is possible to find them in compact dimensions, suitable for growing in pots.
If you have limited space and are new to gardening, you can cultivate them in pots right on your balcony. zucchinis are easy to grow, lush, and productive vegetables, therefore, you will have no problems obtaining satisfactory results.
How to Grow Zucchini in Pots
Before you begin growing zucchinis, select appropriately sized pots, preferably with a diameter of 40-50 cm, and drainage holes at the base to avoid water accumulation. Terracotta pots are a better option than plastic ones, as they allow the roots to breathe better. As for the soil, you can utilize a combination of universal soil and compost. It is also possible to enrich it with earthworm humus or peat to improve the structure of the soil and promote plant development.
As mentioned earlier, selecting the right zucchini variety is very important. It is possible to find numerous varieties suitable for growing in pots, such as the Roman zucchinis, the round Nice zucchinis, and long Florentine zucchinis. Opt for a compact, vertical-growing variety to maximize space in your pots.
When sowing zucchinis, you have two options: direct sowing in the pot or transplanting seedlings. For direct sowing, it will be enough to plant two or three seeds at a depth of about 2-3 cm in the pot. If you choose to transplant seedlings, dig holes in the soil and place the seedlings, ensuring a spacing of at least 60 cm between them.
When it comes to watering, zucchini plants prefer consistently moist soil. In general, it’s best to water them once a week, but if you’re in a hot climate, you might need to increase the frequency to twice a week. Additionally, to encourage flowering and fruit production, you can consider fertilizing them with Compost tea every 2-3 weeks. Compost tea is a liquid fertilizer made by steeping composted organic matter in water to extract beneficial nutrients and microorganisms for plant growth. It’s easy to prepare and use.
The harvest of zucchinis must be carried out when the fruits are still young and tender, typically when they reach a length of 15-20 cm. This usually happens around 35-50 days after planting.
