Grow zucchini in a large pot or tub for an early harvest—but don’t plant it in a bucket
Plant zucchini in a large pot or tub. A good spot for it could be on your balcony or terrace. The container will be warmer than open ground which leads to an earlier harvest. Use nutrient-rich soil, add reserve fertilizer, and remember to keep your zucchini watered.
Choose a pot or tub with a drainage hole in the bottom. It should hold at least 25 liters. The tub shown in the photo holds 40 liters. A standard 10-liter bucket is too small for a zucchini’s roots, and requires more frequent watering and fertilizing.
Place some organic material—such as perennial stems, chopped common reed, or old root chunks—at the bottom of the pot or tub. This layer lightens the container and provides drainage.
Plant your zucchini seedling in nutrient-rich, airy soil, such as a blend of garden soil and compost or bokashi. If you like, you can sow spinach or pea shoots along the edge of the tub for a quick harvest.
Water the zucchini seedling right after planting so the roots make proper contact with the soil. A lush zucchini needs plenty of water, especially when it’s warm outside. You can cut down on watering by covering the soil surface with straw or chopped reed.
Ensure your zucchini gets enough nutrients by using a reserve fertilizer to help it thrive. You can, for example, sprinkle manure pellets into small holes around (but not touching) the seedling and cover them with soil. Repeat the reserve fertilization during the summer.
Cover the seedling after planting and during cool weather with garden fabric. Stretch the fabric over stakes. Remove it once flowering begins, as most varieties need pollination. If pollinators are scarce, gently transfer pollen to the female blossoms with a small brush.
