Natural, untreated and GMO-free seeds. Hybrid seeds.
Plant: Create a mound of soil approximately (6 in.) high on heavy soils to aid drainage. Harden off plants by acclimating them to outdoor conditions for 2 to 3 weeks. Zucchini and squash can also be grown in large containers or grow bags.
Water: These tender plants are prone to stem rot, so only water them in dry weather or if they are growing in sandy soil. Plants grown in pots, however, will need frequent watering – daily or even twice daily in summer – to support their rapid growth.
Pollination: Zucchini and squash produce separate male and female flowers, and insect pollination must occur for fruit to form naturally. Yields can be improved, especially in cold or wet weather, by hand pollinating the female flowers, which have a small immature fruit underneath. To do this, pick an open male flower with a long, thin stem, remove its yellow petals and push it into the center of a female flower.
Summer zucchini tastes best when young. Harvest by twisting or cutting the fruit. Picking young encourages the production of more flowers and fruit, and avoids having to deal with gigantic bland squashes later in the season.
For large winter squash, limit each plant to three fruits by pinching off the growing tips of the plants and removing any unwanted flowers. Winter squash should be left on the plant to develop. At the end of summer, remove the leaves that shade the fruits and allow their skins to harden in the sun.
