A lot of people think that they have to buy a huge garden plot in order to grow their own vegetables. This is not true.
Pots, planters and containers are all great ways for growing zucchini plants, you can move the pots around so that your plants get the best weather and, if it gets cold, then you can move the plants indoors for protection.
You’ll need a reasonable sized container that has drainage holes in the base. Fill this with a good quality compost and plant 3 zucchini seeds into the compost. Water well and place in a warm place. When the plants begin to grow thin out to the strongest and then grow on in a sunny spot.
Does zucchini grow well in pots?
Zucchini plants are tender perennials and they can easily be grown in pots and other containers.
They have a vining shape and will grow over pretty much anything, including hanging baskets.
Many people prefer to grow their zucchini in pots as it means they can move the plant around depending on which part of the garden is providing the best, most sun.
This is particularly helpful in the summer when you want to give your zucchini plants all the sun they can get.
This also means that if you have a cold corner of the garden you can move the pot into more sheltered spot and protect your plant from frosts, this allows you to grow tender zucchini plants successfully.
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How big of a pot do you need for zucchini?
Zucchinis need plenty of room and will grow quickly over the summer. You will need a large pot of at least 24 inches diameter that has a depth of at least 12 inches.
You can use any type of container so long as it has holes in the base for drainage and I’ve seen garbage cans, old wellingtons, barrels and many other ‘re-purposed’ things used as containers for growing.
Do you need two zucchini plants to get fruit?
No, zucchini plants produce both male and female flowers and are self pollinating.
However, it does no harm to have more than one plant as this will help.
You will also benefit at harvest time with more produce as a result.
What’s the best way to grow zucchini?
Most gardeners grow zucchini from seeds, sowing them in the spot where they will spend the growing season.
Sow seeds 3 to 4 inches apart in your pots, this will mean that you’ll probably be able to get 3 seeds in your pots ( depending on the pot size ).
The plants will grow quickly and you need to make sure that they have plenty of water without waterlogging the soil.
Keep the pots out of shade and winds and give the plants as much sunshine as possible.
When they begin to flower, feed them with a good quality fertilizer once a week.
How long does it take for a zucchini to grow after flowering?
When you see the base of the flower swelling you can be sure that zucchinis are on their way.
The amount of time taken for the fruit to grow will depend on the variety of the plant that you have grown but, typically, it can be anywhere from 10 days onwards.
Of course it also depends on the size of the zucchinis that you want to be able to harvest.
If you are going for a prize winning, large zucchini, then this will take longer to grow than one that is intended for the table.
To recap
If you decide that growing a zucchini plant in a container is for you, here’s what you need:
Container – make sure it has holes in the bottom for drainage
Potting soil / Soilless mix (look for brand that is high in organic material)
Quality seed – do not skimp here. Buy from a reputable supplier and read up on how to germinate seeds first!
Zucchini plant – You can start with a seedling or a small cutting or from seeds, but make sure it is disease free and not root-bound.
Sunlight – Place your planted container in a spot where your zucchini will get as much sunlight as possible for best results.
Final Words
If you are short on space then growing zucchini in a pot is a great way to produce this healthy vegetable.
By using containers for your plants you can grow them indoors or outdoors which will also help to protect them from pests and bad weather, with several pots you can even grow more than one variety.
