Zucchini Golden Squash

Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before your last spring frost in peat pots or cell packs at 70-85°F. Golden Zucchini transplants dislike root disturbance, so starting in biodegradable pots you can plant directly into the ground reduces transplant shock. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during germination and seedling growth.

Transplant outdoors after all frost danger has passed and soil temperatures have reached at least 60°F, ideally 70°F or warmer. Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions. Space plants 36 inches apart in rows 48 inches apart, setting them at the same depth they grew in their containers.

Direct sow seeds 1 inch deep after the last frost date, when soil has warmed to at least 60°F. Plant 2-3 seeds per location and thin to the strongest seedling once plants are established. Direct sowing can actually yield faster maturity than transplanting since you skip the transplant shock.

Begin harvesting when fruits reach 6-8 inches long, while the skin is still tender and the color is that characteristic bright golden yellow. Pick regularly, every 2-3 days during peak production, to encourage the plant to keep flowering and setting new fruit. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut fruits from the vine rather than twisting them off, which can damage the plant. Zucchini produces continuously from summer until the first hard frost, so establish a harvest routine to prevent fruits from becoming overgrown and tough.