When To Plant Zucchini For A Late Summer Harvest

Generally, when you are looking to plant zucchini (Cucurbita pepo), you'll do so by late spring, or whenever the ground is consistently warm. However, if you missed your window, or you didn't decide you wanted zucchini until late, you can plant this squash later in the harvesting season without a problem.

In fact, it may be even better to plant these a little later in the season. They are called summer squash for a reason, and it's because it is often the best time for them to grow. Essentially, you can plant them at any point in the summer, provided that you give them plenty of time to grow and produce fruits before the first frost arrives. Since they usually take 45 to 60 days to start producing, as long as you are about two months from your predicted first frost, you have more than enough time to grow zucchini.

There are a few perks to planting this produce later in the season. You have a better chance of avoiding common pests that arrive in spring, such as squash vine borers. So if you've been having problems keeping them alive, planting later in the season could be a huge benefit. Pests can be one of the biggest downsides to growing zucchini plants that gardeners should be aware of, so being able to reduce the chances of insects overwhelming your plant can make a huge difference.

For most of the United States, this means that planting sometime in July gives you more than enough time. Except for a few areas dotted throughout the West Coast and the Midwest, sometime in September is generally the earliest a frost hits. If you live on the East Coast or in the South, you may even have until October or later.

If frost comes quickly for you, try to plant by early July to ensure you are giving your zucchini enough time to grow before the cold hits. Or, plant them in large pots or a greenhouse so you can protect them from the elements. There are debates on whether it is better to plant zucchini in the ground or in pots, but if you're short on your growing season, the positives of potting the zucchini may outweigh the negatives.

If you're running out of time, and you're not sure if you'll have a chance to harvest before the first frost, there are a few varieties that grow faster, such as 'Black Beauty' and 'Italian Heirloom', which give you closer to 45 or 50 days before it's time to harvest. If you want something a little unique, you can also try 'Round' zucchinis, which are short and bulbous and take closer to 45 days to grow from seed. Still not fast enough? 'Sunglo' is a yellow variety that grows quickly and can take closer to 38 days until it's ready. To ensure your zucchinis grow in time, you also want to make sure you're meeting all of their needs, so try out a bunch of tips for growing zucchini plants, such as providing the right fertilizer and keeping them well-hydrated, to make sure they are happy and healthy.