“Should zucchini be staked up?” Question from Rhonda of Opelousas, Louisiana
Answer: If you have space, you can let vining zucchini ramble on the ground, and they will produce and perform beautifully. They can ramble as far as 6-10 feet, though, so space is essential. Training them up a strong trellis is another option, which will save space and make harvest easier. But, if you lack space and prefer a tidier garden, I recommend planting bush zucchini. These reach just 3 to 4 feet across, depending on the variety.
Best Bush Zucchini Varieties
I love bush zucchini and have grown quite a few that I really liked. Here are my three favorites.
‘Astia‘: The plants are so compact that they are good for container gardening, and zucchini production is good.
‘Eight Ball’: Lots of cute, round, flavorful zucchinis are produced on small, bush-sized plants.
‘Green Machine’: If you are looking for classic, green zucchini on small, very disease-resistant plants then this is the variety for you. It is very fast-yielding, producing from just 45 to 50 days after planting, and it is very reliable.
I hope that this information helps!
Happy zucchini growing,
Jessie Keith
Black Gold Horticulturist