When to plant or sow Zucchini?

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) thrives in full sun and demands rich, moisture-retentive loam. Because it's tender and frost-sensitive (hardy only to zone 10a–12b), you must wait until all risk of frost has passed before planting outdoors in temperate Europe. In practice, this means sowing or transplanting from April through June, depending on your local climate and whether you start indoors or direct-sow. For direct sowing, prepare the soil by digging in plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost a few weeks beforehand; zucchini are greedy feeders. Sow seeds 2–3 cm deep on their edge (this helps prevent rot) in groups of two or three, spacing each group 100 cm apart to accommodate the plant's eventual 80–150 cm spread. Once seedlings emerge and develop their first true leaves, thin to leave the strongest plant at each station. Alternatively, start seeds indoors in 7–9 cm pots from mid-April, sowing one seed per pot. Keep them on a warm windowsill or in a heated propagator at around 18–21°C. Transplant outdoors in late May or early June after hardening off for a week, again spacing plants 100 cm apart. Immediately after planting or sowing, water thoroughly to settle the soil around roots or seeds. Apply a 5 cm layer of organic mulch around each plant (but not touching the stem) to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Zucchini have high water needs, so consistent moisture from the outset is essential. In exposed sites, young transplants may benefit from a cloche or fleece for the first week or two until they establish.