🥒VegetablesTender
When to plant Zucchini
Default: central Europe (50°N)· 50.0°N
Last spring frost: 5 May
First autumn frost: 5 Oct
Frost-free season: 153 days
Calendar windows
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSeptOctNovDec
Sow indoors
14 Apr – 28 Apr
Sow outdoors
12 May – 26 May
Plant out
12 May – 26 May
Harvest
24 Jun – 14 Jul
Dates shift with your latitude — they are calculated from your local last-spring-frost date, not from a fixed calendar.
At a glance
Light
Full sun
Water needs
High
Frost hardiness
Tender
Killed by any frost — plant out only after the last one.
Life cycle
Annual
Spacing
90 × 120 cm
Sowing depth
2.5 cm
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
Days to maturity
45–60
Containers
Possible in pots
Plant family
Cucurbits
Soil temp. to sow
≥ 16°C
Practical notes
One plant feeds a household — sow two and stop. Water at the base and never wet the leaves, which invites mildew on the huge foliage.
Knowing when to pick
Cut at 15–20 cm, every second day at the peak. Marrows that got away are watery and stop the plant flowering.
Storing the crop
A week in the fridge. Grate and freeze in portions for winter bakes and soups.
Crop rotation
A hungry group — follow them with legumes and add compost before replanting the bed.
Grows well with
Keep apart from
Watch for
Full guide: zucchini diseases and pests (5) → with spread routes, compost verdicts and the prevention this list justifies.