How to Grow Cucumbers & Zucchini in Your Yard

Preparation

• 1

  Prepare the soil in a sunny garden spot as soon as the ground warms in spring and all danger of frost has passed.

• 2

  Cultivate the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches, using a garden plow or a spade.

• 3

  Spread 2 to 3 inches of an organic material, such as compost or well-rotted manure, and about 1 inch of all-purpose garden fertilizer on top of the soil.

• 4

  Plow or dig the organic material and fertilizer into the soil.

• 5

  Create furrows spaced 24 to 36 inches apart, using the tip of a hoe.

Zucchini

• 6

  Plant the zucchini seeds in the furrow, in groups of two or three seeds, with about 2 feet between each group of seeds. Cover the seeds with about 1/2 inch of soil.

• 7

  Water the zucchini seeds immediately after planting. Thereafter, water zucchini generously, providing about 1 inch of water every week.

• 8

  Thin the zucchini when the seedlings are 2 to 3 inches tall. Leave one healthy plant every 2 to 2 1/2 feet.

• 9

  Harvest zucchini when the squash is 6 to 8 inches long and about 2 inches in diameter, because smaller squash are more tender and flavorful than mature zucchini. Check the plants often, because zucchini ripens quickly. Zucchini are ready for harvest about 50 to 60 days after planting the seeds.

Cucumbers

• 10

  Plant cucumber seeds in the furrow, allowing 6 to 8 inches between each seed. Cover the seeds with 1/2 to 1 inch of soil.

• 11

  Water the planting area immediately after planting the cucumber seeds. Keep the soil consistently moist throughout the season, because cucumbers have shallow roots that dry out easily.

• 12

  Thin the cucumbers when the seedlings are 2 to 3 inches tall. Allow about 12 inches between each seedling.

• 13

  Harvest cucumbers when the vegetables feel solid and the color is deep green. For pickles, pick the cucumbers as small as 2 inches in length. For slicing, let the cucumbers mature until they reach about 6 to 8 inches long. Because the fruit develops quickly, the plant should be harvested every other day. Harvest is about 50 to 60 days after planting.