Crops › Zucchini (Courgette)
How to grow Zucchini (Courgette)
in the US
Sow April to May, plant out June to August, harvest September to October. About 90 days from seed to plate.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Zucchini is a cracking vegetable, honest. It's one of those plants that just keeps on giving once it gets going, you know? On my plot, I'm always chuffed with the harvest, and it's so versatile in the kitchen.
Sowing
You'll want to get your zucchini started when the soil's warmed up properly. For folks in Zone 5, that's usually May. Zone 6 and 7 can start a bit earlier in April or May, and if you're in Zone 8 or 9, March or April is good. You can sow seeds indoors, about 2 to 4 weeks before your last frost, putting them an inch (2.5 cm) deep in small pots. Or, if your soil is nice and warm, direct sow them outside after all danger of frost has passed. Give them plenty of space from the off, as they get big.
Growing on
Once your indoor-sown plants have a few true leaves, you'll need to harden them off before planting out. This means gradually getting them used to the outdoors over a week or two. Plant them into rich soil in full sun after your last frost, giving them a good 3 feet (90 cm) between plants if they're a bush type, even more for vining varieties. You can grow some in proper big containers too, mind.
Looking after it
Zucchini plants are thirsty things, so water them deeply and consistently, especially when the fruits are forming. A good layer of mulch around the base of the plants helps keep that moisture in and keeps the weeds down, which is always a bonus. If your soil's rich, you might not need to feed much, but a liquid feed now and then can give them a boost.
What goes wrong
You'll need to keep an eye out for a few common pests, like Squash Bugs and Vine Borers, which can cause a bit of bother. Aphids and Cucumber Beetles might turn up too. Slugs can be a right pain on my plot when the plants are small, but they usually grow out of it. Just check your plants regularly, you know, try to catch things early.
Harvest
You're looking at about 90 days from sowing to harvest, which means you'll be picking from August right through to November, depending on when you started. The trick with summer squash like zucchini is to pick them small and often. If you let them get too big, they go a bit watery and can take over the plant. Just snip them off with a sharp knife or shears. Summer squash is best eaten fresh, so use 'em up!
My top tip, honest, is to check your plants every single day once they start fruiting, because those zucchini can go from a nice size to a bloomin' marrow overnight if you're not careful, and then you've got a problem!
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Zucchini – Black Beauty This is a classic, really reliable summer squash with dark green, straight fruits. It's a proper workhorse for any backyard gardener, giving you consistent yields. | No club votes yet |
| Zucchini – Cocozelle A lovely Italian heirloom with distinctive light green stripes and a fine flavor. Great for direct sowing if your soil is warm enough, and it produces well. | No club votes yet |
| Zucchini – Costata Romanesco Another Italian beauty, known for its ribbed fruits and nutty flavor, often picked with the flower still attached. It's a bit of a showstopper and well worth growing for taste. | No club votes yet |
| Yellow Straightneck This one gives you bright yellow, straight-necked fruits with a tender skin. It's a good choice for direct sowing and provides a cheerful splash of color to your harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Yellow Crookneck You'll recognize this by its distinctive bent neck and bright yellow color. It's an early producer and offers a lovely buttery flavor when picked young. | No club votes yet |
| Patty Pan – Sunburst A really pretty, bright yellow, disc-shaped squash that looks a bit like a flying saucer. These are best picked when small and tender, great for direct sowing. | No club votes yet |
| Patty Pan – White Scallop A traditional white, scallop-edged patty pan that's very prolific and mild in flavor. It's a good one to start indoors for an earlier crop, then get it out on the plot. | No club votes yet |
| Zephyr This one's a bit special, with a lovely two-tone yellow top and green bottom. It's a proper gourmet squash with a firm texture and great flavor, good for direct sowing. | No club votes yet |
| Magda (Kousa) A Lebanese type of zucchini, pale green with a delicate, nutty flavor, often picked when quite small. It's a good choice if you're after something a bit different and very tender. | No club votes yet |
| Gold Rush As the name suggests, this is a beautiful golden-yellow zucchini that's early and prolific. It's a cracking choice for direct sowing if you want lots of color and good yields. | No club votes yet |
| Eight Ball This one gives you round, dark green fruits, making it a bit of a novelty and great for stuffing. It's a compact plant, so good if you're a bit tight on space. | No club votes yet |
| Gadzukes! A unique-looking zucchini with pronounced ridges and a lovely green color. It's known for its good flavor and solid yields, a bit different to the usual. | No club votes yet |
| Rampicante (young) This is actually a vining winter squash, but picked young it makes a fantastic summer squash with a lovely texture. It's best started indoors due to its longer growing habit. | No club votes yet |
| Tromboncino (young) Similar to Rampicante, this is a vining squash that's excellent picked young as a summer squash, with a mild, nutty taste. It does well direct-sown in warmer climes. | No club votes yet |
| Caserta An old Italian heirloom, Caserta produces light green, striped fruits with a lovely firm texture and great flavor. It's a reliable choice for consistent harvests. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Zucchini (Courgette) seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | March to May | August to November |
| Zone 4 | March to May | August to November |
| Zone 5 | May | September to October |
| Zone 6 | April to May | September to October |
| Zone 7 | April to May | August to October |
| Zone 8 | March to April | August to November |
| Zone 9 | March to April | August to November |
| Zone 10 | March to May | August to November |
Cook the harvest
The Provençal vegetable stew that makes summer abundance look effortless. Zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers are slow-cooked with garlic and herbs until tender and their flavors meld into something greater than the sum of their parts. Eat it hot as a side, at room temperature over polenta, or cold the next day straight from the pot.
85 min · mediumThinly sliced zucchini and ripe summer tomatoes are layered in a baking dish with garlic, fresh herbs, and a generous blanket of Parmesan and breadcrumbs that bakes to a golden crust. This French-inspired gratin is a beautiful way to use an abundance of summer vegetables in one stunning side dish.
60 min · easyCrispy, golden fritters packed with grated zucchini, scallions, and sharp cheddar make a fantastic summer appetizer or side dish. Squeezing out the moisture is the secret to getting a proper sear rather than a steam. Serve warm with a cool dollop of sour cream.
35 min · easyThin slices of zucchini and ripe summer tomatoes arranged over a savory ricotta-herb filling in a rustic free-form pastry shell. The imperfect, folded edges are part of the charm, and the filling keeps everything moist and flavorful. This is a beautiful way to showcase summer produce at its peak.
75 min · mediumWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: Corn, Beans, Nasturtiums, Marigolds
Questions people ask
When do you sow Zucchini (Courgette) in the US?
Sow Zucchini (Courgette) from April to May in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out June to August, after the last frost.
How long does Zucchini (Courgette) take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 90 days, with the harvest September to October.
Which Zucchini (Courgette) varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Zucchini – Black Beauty, Zucchini – Cocozelle, Zucchini – Costata Romanesco, Yellow Straightneck and more.
Track your Zucchini (Courgette) from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.