How to grow zucchini plants the right way! And I bet it’s different than how you’re doing it now.
Materials
- 4-6′ long stakes
- twine
Tools
- scissors or knife
Instructions
Plant your zucchini 1.5″ apart. They aren’t going to need all kinds of room to grow and sprawl anymore because you’re growing them UP. Plant a stake right next to the main stem of the zucchini plant. Using string or twine tie the plant’s stem to the stake so it grows upright. Remove all those huge leaves that are growing at the base of the plant (only the leaves below any developing fruit) Monitor the plant once a week to see if you need to tie it to the stem again as it grows.
Notes
Zucchini should be grown basically like tomatoes! Stake them and remove older leaves that aren’t doing anything productive for the plant other than making it vulnerable to disease.
Staking is easiest if you do it when the plant is first put in the ground, but you can wrangle an older plant into submission as well.
Cut your leaves off as close to the stem of the plant as you can.
If you see signs of powdery mildew developing you can wash the plant. Yes. Wash it with water. Powdery mildew HATES water and thrives in dry, hot conditions.
Powdery Mildew can also be controlled (not cured) with this simple spray recipe:
4 cups of water + 1/2 Tablespoon of Vinegar.
Spray the top and bottom of the leaves once a week.