General Information

• Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September

  January 1. Buy Buy seed when available via mail-order or at the nursery.

  February 1. Buy Buy seed when available via mail-order or at the nursery. 2. Sow Seeds Sow seed indoors and keep moist. When seed sprouts, grow in a sunny window.

  March 1. Buy Buy seed when available via mail-order or at the nursery. 2. Sow Seeds Sow seed indoors and keep moist. When seed sprouts, grow in a sunny window.

  April 1. Buy Buy seed via mail-order or at the nursery. Purchase plants when they appear in the nursery. 2. Plant Plant starting mid-month in a rich, well-drained soil in a full-sun location with good air circulation. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart. 3. Sow Seeds After mid-month, sow seed outdoors in containers for transplanting later, or directly in the garden. Seed-starting mix should be well-draining. Ground location requires full-sun, good air circulation and rich, well-draining soil. 4. Fertilize After plants become established, feed once this month with an organic vegetable fertilizer. 5. Water Keep the soil most but not soggy. Droughted plants will stop producing. Foliage is susceptible to fungal infection, so avoid splashing water onto leaves when watering. 6. Mulch Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost or shredded bark to the base of the plant, spreading out 1 to 2 feet. 7. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for squash bug, which will feed on plant vines and fruit and cause leaves to wilt. Also look for signs of powdery mildew, which is a powdery coating that appears on leaves. 8. Treat for Pest/Disease Control squash bugs by destroying their eggs, which are yellow-to-brown clusters that appear on the underside of leaves. Trap adults under boards or newspapers at night and then collect and destroy them in the morning. There are also insecticides labeled for use on squash bugs. Control powdery mildew by avoiding overhead watering and getting squash leaves wet, especially later in the day. 9. Transplant Transplant seedlings starting mid-month in a rich, well-drained soil in a full-sun location with good air circulation. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart.

  May 1. Buy Buy seed via mail-order or at the nursery. Purchase plants from the nursery. 2. Plant Plant in a rich, well-drained soil in a full-sun location with good air circulation. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart. 3. Sow Seeds Sow seed outdoors in containers for transplanting later, or directly in the garden. Seed-starting mix should be well-draining. Ground location requires full-sun, good air circulation and rich, well-draining soil. 4. Fertilize After plants become established, feed every 3 weeks with an organic vegetable fertilizer. 5. Water Keep the soil most but not soggy. Droughted plants will stop producing. Foliage is susceptible to fungal infection, so avoid splashing water onto leaves when watering. 6. Mulch Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost or shredded bark to the base of the plant, spreading out 1 to 2 feet. 7. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for squash bug, which will feed on plant vines and fruit and cause leaves to wilt. Also look for signs of powdery mildew, which is a powdery coating that appears on leaves. 8. Treat for Pest/Disease Control squash bugs by destroying their eggs, which are yellow-to-brown clusters that appear on the underside of leaves. Trap adults under boards or newspapers at night and then collect and destroy them in the morning. There are also insecticides labeled for use on squash bugs. Control powdery mildew by avoiding overhead watering and getting squash leaves wet, especially later in the day. 9. Transplant Transplant seedlings in a rich, well-drained soil in a full-sun location with good air circulation. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart. 10. Harvest Harvest zucchini when it is small- to medium-sized, at which point it is tender. Although you can allow the fruit to grow large, doing so may cause the plant to cease production.

  June 1. Buy Purchase plants from the nursery. 2. Plant Plant in a rich, well-drained soil in a full-sun location with good air circulation. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart. 3. Sow Seeds Sow seed outdoors in containers for transplanting later, or directly in the garden. Seed-starting mix should be well-draining. Ground location requires full-sun, good air circulation and rich, well-draining soil. 4. Fertilize Feed every 3 weeks with an organic vegetable fertilizer. 5. Water Keep the soil most but not soggy. Droughted plants will stop producing. Foliage is susceptible to fungal infection, so avoid splashing water onto leaves when watering. 6. Mulch Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost or shredded bark to the base of the plant, spreading out 1 to 2 feet. 7. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for squash bug, which will feed on plant vines and fruit and cause leaves to wilt. Also look for signs of powdery mildew, which is a powdery coating that appears on leaves. 8. Treat for Pest/Disease Control squash bugs by destroying their eggs, which are yellow-to-brown clusters that appear on the underside of leaves. Trap adults under boards or newspapers at night and then collect and destroy them in the morning. There are also insecticides labeled for use on squash bugs. Control powdery mildew by avoiding overhead watering and getting squash leaves wet, especially later in the day. 9. Transplant Transplant seedlings in a rich, well-drained soil in a full-sun location with good air circulation. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart. 10. Harvest Harvest zucchini when it is small- to medium-sized, at which point it is tender. Although you can allow the fruit to grow large, doing so may cause the plant to cease production.

  July 1. Buy Purchase plants from the nursery. 2. Plant Plant in a rich, well-drained soil in a full-sun location with good air circulation. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart. 3. Fertilize Feed every 3 weeks with an organic vegetable fertilizer. 4. Water Keep the soil most but not soggy. Droughted plants will stop producing. Foliage is susceptible to fungal infection, so avoid splashing water onto leaves when watering. 5. Mulch Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost or shredded bark to the base of the plant, spreading out 1 to 2 feet. 6. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for squash bug, which will feed on plant vines and fruit and cause leaves to wilt. Also look for signs of powdery mildew, which is a powdery coating that appears on leaves. 7. Treat for Pest/Disease Control squash bugs by destroying their eggs, which are yellow-to-brown clusters that appear on the underside of leaves. Trap adults under boards or newspapers at night and then collect and destroy them in the morning. There are also insecticides labeled for use on squash bugs. Control powdery mildew by avoiding overhead watering and getting squash leaves wet, especially later in the day. 8. Transplant Transplant seedlings in a rich, well-drained soil in a full-sun location with good air circulation. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart. 9. Harvest Harvest zucchini when it is small- to medium-sized, at which point it is tender. Although you can allow the fruit to grow large, doing so may cause the plant to cease production.

  August 1. Fertilize Feed every 3 weeks with an organic vegetable fertilizer. 2. Water Keep the soil most but not soggy. Droughted plants will stop producing. Foliage is susceptible to fungal infection, so avoid splashing water onto leaves when watering. 3. Mulch Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost or shredded bark to the base of the plant, spreading out 1 to 2 feet. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for squash bug, which will feed on plant vines and fruit and cause leaves to wilt. Also look for signs of powdery mildew, which is a powdery coating that appears on leaves. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Control squash bugs by destroying their eggs, which are yellow-to-brown clusters that appear on the underside of leaves. Trap adults under boards or newspapers at night and then collect and destroy them in the morning. There are also insecticides labeled for use on squash bugs. Control powdery mildew by avoiding overhead watering and getting squash leaves wet, especially later in the day. 6. Harvest Harvest zucchini when it is small- to medium-sized, at which point it is tender. Although you can allow the fruit to grow large, doing so may cause the plant to cease production.

  September 1. Water Keep the soil most but not soggy. Droughted plants will stop producing. Foliage is susceptible to fungal infection, so avoid splashing water onto leaves when watering. 2. Mulch Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost or shredded bark to the base of the plant, spreading out 1 to 2 feet. 3. Harvest Harvest zucchini when it is small- to medium-sized, at which point it is tender. Although you can allow the fruit to grow large, doing so may cause the plant to cease production.

• Buy When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share! January Buy seed when available via mail-order or at the nursery. February Buy seed when available via mail-order or at the nursery. March Buy seed when available via mail-order or at the nursery. April Buy seed via mail-order or at the nursery. Purchase plants when they appear in the nursery. May Buy seed via mail-order or at the nursery. Purchase plants from the nursery. June Purchase plants from the nursery. July Purchase plants from the nursery.

  Plant When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions? April Plant starting mid-month in a rich, well-drained soil in a full-sun location with good air circulation. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart. May Plant in a rich, well-drained soil in a full-sun location with good air circulation. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart. June Plant in a rich, well-drained soil in a full-sun location with good air circulation. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart. July Plant in a rich, well-drained soil in a full-sun location with good air circulation. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart. August Plant in a rich, well-drained soil in a full-sun location with good air circulation. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart.

  Sow Seeds When can you plant these seeds? When's the best time? Can you start them indoors and move them out? Do they have any special requirements? February Sow seed indoors and keep moist. When seed sprouts, grow in a sunny window. March Sow seed indoors and keep moist. When seed sprouts, grow in a sunny window. April After mid-month, sow seed outdoors in containers for transplanting later, or directly in the garden. Seed-starting mix should be well-draining. Ground location requires full-sun, good air circulation and rich, well-draining soil. May Sow seed outdoors in containers for transplanting later, or directly in the garden. Seed-starting mix should be well-draining. Ground location requires full-sun, good air circulation and rich, well-draining soil. June Sow seed outdoors in containers for transplanting later, or directly in the garden. Seed-starting mix should be well-draining. Ground location requires full-sun, good air circulation and rich, well-draining soil.

  Fertilize When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year? April After plants become established, feed once this month with an organic vegetable fertilizer. May After plants become established, feed every 3 weeks with an organic vegetable fertilizer. June Feed every 3 weeks with an organic vegetable fertilizer. July Feed every 3 weeks with an organic vegetable fertilizer. August Feed every 3 weeks with an organic vegetable fertilizer.

  Water Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year? April Keep the soil most but not soggy. Droughted plants will stop producing. Foliage is susceptible to fungal infection, so avoid splashing water onto leaves when watering. May Keep the soil most but not soggy. Droughted plants will stop producing. Foliage is susceptible to fungal infection, so avoid splashing water onto leaves when watering. June Keep the soil most but not soggy. Droughted plants will stop producing. Foliage is susceptible to fungal infection, so avoid splashing water onto leaves when watering. July Keep the soil most but not soggy. Droughted plants will stop producing. Foliage is susceptible to fungal infection, so avoid splashing water onto leaves when watering. August Keep the soil most but not soggy. Droughted plants will stop producing. Foliage is susceptible to fungal infection, so avoid splashing water onto leaves when watering. September Keep the soil most but not soggy. Droughted plants will stop producing. Foliage is susceptible to fungal infection, so avoid splashing water onto leaves when watering.

  Mulch Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much? April Apply a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost or shredded bark to the base of the plant, spreading out 1 to 2 feet. May Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost or shredded bark to the base of the plant, spreading out 1 to 2 feet. June Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost or shredded bark to the base of the plant, spreading out 1 to 2 feet. July Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost or shredded bark to the base of the plant, spreading out 1 to 2 feet. August Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost or shredded bark to the base of the plant, spreading out 1 to 2 feet. September Maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost or shredded bark to the base of the plant, spreading out 1 to 2 feet.

  Pest/Disease Inspection What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear? April Check for squash bug, which will feed on plant vines and fruit and cause leaves to wilt. Also look for signs of powdery mildew, which is a powdery coating that appears on leaves. May Check for squash bug, which will feed on plant vines and fruit and cause leaves to wilt. Also look for signs of powdery mildew, which is a powdery coating that appears on leaves. June Check for squash bug, which will feed on plant vines and fruit and cause leaves to wilt. Also look for signs of powdery mildew, which is a powdery coating that appears on leaves. July Check for squash bug, which will feed on plant vines and fruit and cause leaves to wilt. Also look for signs of powdery mildew, which is a powdery coating that appears on leaves. August Check for squash bug, which will feed on plant vines and fruit and cause leaves to wilt. Also look for signs of powdery mildew, which is a powdery coating that appears on leaves.

  Treat for Pest/Disease How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements? April Control squash bugs by destroying their eggs, which are yellow-to-brown clusters that appear on the underside of leaves. Trap adults under boards or newspapers at night and then collect and destroy them in the morning. There are also insecticides labeled for use on squash bugs. Control powdery mildew by avoiding overhead watering and getting squash leaves wet, especially later in the day. May Control squash bugs by destroying their eggs, which are yellow-to-brown clusters that appear on the underside of leaves. Trap adults under boards or newspapers at night and then collect and destroy them in the morning. There are also insecticides labeled for use on squash bugs. Control powdery mildew by avoiding overhead watering and getting squash leaves wet, especially later in the day. June Control squash bugs by destroying their eggs, which are yellow-to-brown clusters that appear on the underside of leaves. Trap adults under boards or newspapers at night and then collect and destroy them in the morning. There are also insecticides labeled for use on squash bugs. Control powdery mildew by avoiding overhead watering and getting squash leaves wet, especially later in the day. July Control squash bugs by destroying their eggs, which are yellow-to-brown clusters that appear on the underside of leaves. Trap adults under boards or newspapers at night and then collect and destroy them in the morning. There are also insecticides labeled for use on squash bugs. Control powdery mildew by avoiding overhead watering and getting squash leaves wet, especially later in the day. August Control squash bugs by destroying their eggs, which are yellow-to-brown clusters that appear on the underside of leaves. Trap adults under boards or newspapers at night and then collect and destroy them in the morning. There are also insecticides labeled for use on squash bugs. Control powdery mildew by avoiding overhead watering and getting squash leaves wet, especially later in the day.

  Transplant When's the best time to dig up and transplant this from one spot to another? (This is different than planting). Any special requirements? April Transplant seedlings starting mid-month in a rich, well-drained soil in a full-sun location with good air circulation. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart. May Transplant seedlings in a rich, well-drained soil in a full-sun location with good air circulation. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart. June Transplant seedlings in a rich, well-drained soil in a full-sun location with good air circulation. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart. July Transplant seedlings in a rich, well-drained soil in a full-sun location with good air circulation. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart.

  Harvest When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features? May Harvest zucchini when it is small- to medium-sized, at which point it is tender. Although you can allow the fruit to grow large, doing so may cause the plant to cease production. June Harvest zucchini when it is small- to medium-sized, at which point it is tender. Although you can allow the fruit to grow large, doing so may cause the plant to cease production. July Harvest zucchini when it is small- to medium-sized, at which point it is tender. Although you can allow the fruit to grow large, doing so may cause the plant to cease production. August Harvest zucchini when it is small- to medium-sized, at which point it is tender. Although you can allow the fruit to grow large, doing so may cause the plant to cease production. September Harvest zucchini when it is small- to medium-sized, at which point it is tender. Although you can allow the fruit to grow large, doing so may cause the plant to cease production.