Zucchini are among the big size fruits and they’re commonly grown in outside gardens. However, if you lack garden space and you’re interested in growing Zucchini, that is not a problem, you can grow them in pots.
Zucchini are easy to grow in containers. Even if you’re a complete beginner gardener, you shouldn’t worry or hesitate about growing these plants. You will only need to dedicate time and effort and everything will be just as you wanted it.
There are several varieties of Zucchini and not all of them van be grown in containers. Therefore, choosing the right variety can play a vital role in the growth of your plants. Please find all the details below in this informative article on how to grow Zucchini in a pot.
Best Zucchini Varieties to grow in containers
There two main type of Zucchini, large and bush. Large varieties are recommended for growing in containerswhereas bush varieties are suitable for gardens. Here some of the best varieties you can grow in containers:
- Astea: ‘Astea’ is a French bush variety that was developed specifically for growing in containers. These fruits grow at the base of the plant for easy harvest. The fruits are ready for picking in about 48 days.
- Buckingham Patio: They’re short plants that do not exceed about 12 inches tall, with a 4-foot spread. This variety produces beautiful golden yellow fruits and they usually mature in 40 days
- Bush Baby: ‘Bush Baby’ grows to a compact 18-24 inches in height.The courgettes on this plant are as adorable as they come. They are dark green with grey stripes, and only grow to be about 6 inches long. Fruits mature in about 59 days.
- Dark Green: This is perhaps one of the most known varieties, ‘Dark Green’ produces 6- to 8-inch dark fruits with pale flesh on a compact bush. This variety is usually ready to harvest in 45-55 days, this vigorous heirloom variety reaches a mature height of 24-36 inches tall.
- Golden: A prolific producer of bright yellow fruits, ‘Golden’ is a bush variety that tops out at 3 to 4 feet tall at full growth. These fruits are harvest-ready in 50-55 days and will provide a regular supply through the summer.
- Grey: ‘Grey,’ also called ‘Tender Grey’ is a heat-resistant bush variety that grows to a mature height of 24-36 inches. Six-inch fruits are medium green with grey flecks and a bulbous end.A productive plant, with a long harvest period, ‘Grey’ zucchini matures in 42-45 days.
- Patio Star: ‘Patio Star’ matures in just 40 days and has particularly pretty foliage. Even though it’s a small, bush-type variety, it grows tons of full-sized fruits.This variety was bred specifically for container gardening and stays under 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
- Raven:‘Raven’ has dark green fruits that contain more antioxidants than other varieties. This type grows about two feet tall and wide, and the fruits are ready in 42 days.
1. Choosing a Container
Since these plants have a shallow root system, they don’t require very deep pots. Although the size of the pot depends largely on the variety you have chosen, a container that is around 18 inches deep with should be sufficient4 to 5-gallons of holding capacity.
Containers are made from different materials such as plastic, ceramic, or terracotta, make sure it comes with drainage holes. This should not impact your plant if there is drainage hole. Try to avoid plastic containers as they may encourage waterlogging.
2. Soil
Zucchini is a squash plant; thus, they love moist and they grow best in moist, organic, and well-draining potting mix. This type of soil will retain water allowing your plant to thrive and flourish.
3. Location
Jus like all squash plants, Zucchini love warmth and they grow best in a temperature between 70 F (21 C) and 40 F (4 C). Therefore, it recommended that you place them in the sunniest spot possible. 6 hours of sunlight is exposure is essential for Zucchini.
4. Planting and watering
Zucchini is not the kind of plants that you can sow its seeds any time. Zucchini seeds require at least 60 F (15 C) soil temperature to grow. When the soil temperature is lower than this degree, the seeds may not germinate.
Zucchini is a heavy producer. Each plant may produce up to 5KG of fruits during one growing season. Therefore, they need space between them to grow in comfort. When sowing the seeds, please leave at least 4 inches between each one.
These plants like moist soil but they don’t do well with waterlogged soil. Consequently, water carefully keeping the 1st inch of the soil surface always moist. Watering once a week in winter is sufficient but in summer you need to raise the frequency to the thrice a week.
5. Caring for Your Zucchini
When the main stem reaches at least 2 to 3 feet, start removing any dead or damaged leaves. While you’re pruning you may encounter harvest-ready fruit, you can pick them but pinch them carefully, so you won’t harm the plant.
Zucchini are not heavy feeders, but fertilizing will help improve production and fruits quality. It is best to apply nitrogen as well as potassium and phosphorous. These can be found in a 10-10-10 NPK.
Also, we recommend adding composting and mulch. The first slows water drainage prolonging water retention. Spread a two-inch deep layer of compost over the soil and work it in, up to 8-inches deep, before planting your crops
Mulching on the other hand, warms up the soil maintaining steady temperatures during growth promotes moisture retention. You can use two-inch of organic mulch, involving shredded leaves and grass clippings, around seedlings.
While you’re caring for your plant, please watch out for pests and diseases and Zucchini is very sensitive plant.
6. Harvesting
You can pick the fruits as soon as they’re 4-inches long. This usually happens after 2 months of sowing. Zucchini grow an inch long every day, so it helps to check them daily during harvest.
We hope you found this article informative and if you want further explanation, please leave your comments below.