Ready to start your spring edibles garden? How about some squash?

Zucchini has a bad reputation. Tales abound of zucchini taking over the vegetable garden, crowding out green beans and tomatoes, growing as long as baseball bats overnight! But don’t worry, a bit of attention to your vegetable plot will help you keep this delicious and versatile squash under control.

Check your plants every few days

The rule of thumb with zucchini and other summer squash is ‘the smaller the squash, the better it tastes.’ Pick every one to three days and don’t let them mature on the vine. Pick when crookneck or straight varieties are a maximum of 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter, zucchini is 7 to 8 inches long, and scallop types are 3 to 4 inches in diameter. If you like your squash extra tender, harvest them before they reach these sizes. 

Two major types of squash

The terms “summer” and “winter” squash can be a bit confusing as the time to start seeds of both varieties begins in March. The time of harvest is reflected in their names.

In contrast to summer squash, winter types (pumpkins, acorn, butternut, Delicata) must fully mature on the vine for that deep sweet flavor. It is better to leave them too long on the vine than not long enough. Wait till the squash reaches maximum size, has a dull and uniform color, and has a shell so hard you can’t puncture it with your thumbnail. The final clue is that the green color of the stem changes and develops brown woody stripes. Nature tells you when the fruit is ready to separate from the vine.

Starting plants

Squash is easy to grow from seed, and there are many more varieties available from seed than you’ll find in nursery starts. Growing vegetables from seed can be a fun and engaging project for the whole family! Spring is a good time to plant seeds indoors to have them ready for outdoors once the weather warms.

All squash varieties grow best in well-draining soil, rich in organic matter. Work in plenty of organic compost or composted manure prior to planting seeds or starts. Weekly additions of a dilute organic fertilizer labeled 10-10-5 or 12-12-12 will provide the nutrients needed if you did not prepare your soil with compost prior to planting.

Plant care

Regular, even watering is very important to help your plants become established. Fortunately, their water needs are not excessive, and both species are considered “water-wise edibles” in our Marin climates.

Learn more

Learn more about growing summer or winter squash -- including seed selection, soil preparation, planting, watering, harvesting, best varieties for Marin, and more.