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Should I Trellis or Stake My Zucchini?

“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