Zucchini Planting Guide
Zucchini is an incredibly prolific summer squash that can produce an abundance of fruit from just a few plants. It is versatile in the kitchen from grilling to baking.
Cucurbita pepo var. cylindrica · Vegetable · Cucurbitaceae family · 45–60 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Zucchini Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Zucchini?
Zucchini Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Zucchini planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | Apr 3 | May 29 | Jun 5 | Jul 24 – Sep 18 |
| Zone 3b | Mar 29 | May 24 | May 31 | Jul 19 – Sep 13 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 25 | May 20 | May 27 | Jul 15 – Sep 9 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | May 15 | May 22 | Jul 10 – Sep 4 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 21 | May 2 | May 9 | Jun 27 – Aug 22 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 14 | Apr 25 | May 2 | Jun 20 – Aug 15 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 6 | Apr 17 | Apr 24 | Jun 12 – Aug 7 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 27 | Apr 10 | Apr 17 | Jun 5 – Jul 31 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 25 | Apr 1 | Apr 8 | May 27 – Jul 22 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 18 | Mar 25 | Apr 1 | May 20 – Jul 15 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 8 | Mar 15 | Mar 22 | May 10 – Jul 5 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 28 | Mar 4 | Mar 11 | Apr 29 – Jun 24 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 13 | Feb 10 | Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Jun 2 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 28 | Jan 25 | Feb 1 | Mar 22 – May 17 |
| Zone 10a | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Feb 26 – Apr 23 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Feb 26 – Apr 23 |
| Zone 11a | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Feb 26 – Apr 23 |
| Zone 11b | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Jan 8 | Feb 26 – Apr 23 |
How to Plant Zucchini
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1.2"/week
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 3a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
45–60 days
Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.
👪 Plant Family
Cucurbitaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Cucurbitaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Zucchini
Zucchini matures in just 45–60 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 4 successive plantings by sowing every 5.1 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Zucchini
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Zucchini
Direct sow after last frost. Harvest when fruits are 6-8 inches long for best flavor and texture. Check plants daily in summer as fruits can double in size overnight.
💧 Watering: Zucchini needs approximately 1.2 inches of water per week during active growth. Adjust based on your local rainfall — check your county page for a monthly watering guide specific to your area.
Saving Zucchini Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Zucchini by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Zucchini?
Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo var. cylindrica) takes 45 to 60 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Zucchini grow in?
Zucchini can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Zucchini need?
Growing Zucchini requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.