I used vertical supports to hold my four zucchini plants off the ground this summer. I had given up using tomato cages a few years ago for several reasons. But, I still had the cages hanging around the garden. Employing them as supports for my zucchini was one of those “Huh, I’ve never done this before, so why not give it a try?” ideas that I am glad crossed my mind.
Do Zucchini Plants Need Support? The Complete Guide
As a gardener you may be wondering – do zucchini plants need support to grow properly and produce a bountiful harvest? The answer depends on a few factors. In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about supporting zucchini plants.
What Type of Zucchini Are You Growing?
There are two main types of zucchini plants
Bush Zucchini – Most zucchini varieties are bush types. They have a compact, bushy growth habit and don’t require trellising. Popular bush zucchini include Black Beauty, Gold Rush, Eight Ball and Green Machine.
Vining Zucchini – There are some vining zucchini varieties like Tromboncino and Zucchetta Rampicante. These produce very long trailing stems that can be trellised vertically.
Bush Zucchini Support
Bush zucchinis do not need staking or trellising to grow. However, some gardeners use short stakes or cages to provide minimal support:
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Staking helps improve airflow and sun exposure, reducing fungal diseases.
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It prevents heavy branching stems from breaking under the weight of fruits.
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Keeps fruits off the soil surface to reduce rot.
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Makes harvesting easier without damaging plants.
So while bush zucchini generally grow well without support, many gardeners still choose to use short 1-2 foot stakes or cages. This can help maximize plant health and yields.
Vining Zucchini Require Trellising
Vining zucchini varieties have long, flexible stems that cannot support heavy fruits. Proper trellising is a must:
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Use tall, sturdy trellises at least 5-6 feet high.
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Position trellises on the north side of plants so fruits grow into the sun.
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Tie main stems to vertical supports using soft twine or twist ties.
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Weave and tie side shoots so the entire plant is supported as it grows.
Without trellising, vining zucchini stems will sprawl on the ground leading to broken branches, disease issues and poor development of fruits hidden under leaves.
5 Key Tips for Growing Zucchini
Follow these tips for a healthy and productive zucchini crop:
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Start seeds or transplants after the last expected frost date once soil warms to 65°F.
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Plant in full sun locations with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
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Prepare soil by mixing in 2-3 inches of aged compost before planting.
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Provide consistent moisture through the season with 1-2 inches of water per week.
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Harvest zucchini regularly once fruits are 6-8 inches long for continuous yields.
Proper Plant Spacing
Proper spacing is important whether you trellis zucchini or not:
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Bush zucchini can be spaced 1-2 feet apart in all directions.
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Trellised zucchini should be 1-2 feet apart with 4-6 feet between rows.
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Or plant 1 bush zucchini per square foot in a high-density garden.
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Container zucchini need at least a 5 gallon pot per plant.
Preventing Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a common zucchini disease favored by warm, dry, crowded conditions. To prevent it:
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Improve airflow by proper spacing, staking and pruning leaves.
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Water at the base of plants to keep foliage dry.
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Use drip irrigation and avoid wetting leaves.
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Apply neem oil or potassium bicarbonate sprays preventatively.
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Plant resistant varieties like Spineless Beauty.
By taking some simple precautions, you can grow healthy zucchini plants and achieve an abundant harvest! Proper support and care makes all the difference.
The Whys and Why Nots of Tomato Cages
“If you didn’t want to use them for your tomatoes, why use them for zucchini?” Great question. First, let me tell you the main reason I don’t use tomato cages for tomatoes. With our rocky soil, it really is quite difficult to insert the cages into the ground without hitting some rocks. Inevitably the cages are never inserted deep enough into the ground to support the weight of the tomato plant. They always tip over. The reason I resorted to using them for the zucchini is “user error” on my behalf. I had planted four hills of zucchini seeds each about 2 feet from each other. I knew when I sowed the seeds that they were a bit close. So, I figured I would just separate them when they grew bigger. That never happened.
When the zucchini plants were about 12-18 inches tall with their leaves and vines still growing somewhat upward, I knew I didn’t have much time before they began to grow into each other. I was able to insert each cage over each young zucchini plant and gently guide the branching leaves up and through the wires. Off to a great start.
So, how’d it go?
The Pros of Vertical Supports for Zucchinis
Having so many zucchini plants so close together was a tangled mess waiting to happen. But the tomato cages helped in several respects:
- With occasional guiding of leaves through the higher rings of the cage, I was able to keep the plants from growing into each other all season.
- With the leaves and vines off the ground I was able to water the base of the plant directly without wasting water by getting the leaves wet.
- The leaves were off the ground and not getting wet. This meant the occurrence of powdery mildew happened much later than it normally would. That was soooo wonderful.
- The developing fruit were easier to spot, and they were kept off of the ground, so they weren’t so dirty and didn’t have yellow spots from lying on the ground.
Grow Zucchini Vertically to Save Space And Boost Harvests
FAQ
How to support zucchini plants?
How to Grow Zucchini on a Trellis You will want to plant your zucchini on the south side of a trellis support so that it gets the most sun. Center the main stem of the plant on the front of the trellis or vertical support. You could also use rigid fencing or a tomato cage as a zucchini trellis.
Should you stake zucchini plants?
Another advantage of staking zucchinis is that it keeps the fruit off the ground. By raising it, there’s less chance of critters getting to the fruit and it gives protection from being in contact with soggy soil when it rains.
Does zucchini need to be supported?
As zucchinis do not usually climb on their own, you need a climbing aid. You have various options for this. In most cases, you should tie the zucchini plants up to the climbing support, as they do not stay up on their own.
How do I keep my zucchini plant from falling over?
In this instance, you can try to mound soil around the base of the seedlings to give them extra support. If you are well past the seedling stage and have adult zucchini plants falling over, it’s never too late to try to stake them.