The soil in which you plant zucchini seeds should be very well draining, fertile, and slightly acidic. Zucchini plants also need warm soil to survive, and some individuals prefer to start these plants indoors well before the last frost. Several seeds should first be planted in a hill, and the plants should be thinned out after the seedlings begin to grow.
Zucchini seeds should be planted in loose, well draining soil. Like many other plants, they thrive in fertile soil. Mixing some fertilizer or compost in with the soil is also usually recommended before planting.
Soil that is slightly acidic is also recommended when planting zucchini. A soil test kit can be used to test to pH of the soil before planting zucchini seeds. Soil pH that is slightly lower than seven is considered to be slightly acidic. Sulfur can be added to lower the pH, if it is too high, or lime can be added to raise the soil pH.
Warm weather is also necessary when planting zucchini seeds. Ideally, the temperature of the soil should be around 70 degrees F (21 degrees C). The soil will usually reach this temperature around two weeks after the last frost of the year. To make the soil heat up faster, black plastic can be laid on top of it before planting.
Zucchini seeds can also be planted in indoor pots several weeks before the last frost. After the seedlings are a few inches (7.6 centimeters) tall, they can be transplanted to a garden outside, where they will have room to grow. Care should be taken when transplanting the seedlings, however, since the roots can be quite delicate.
For the best results, most gardening experts recommend planting zucchini seeds in mounds or hills that are roughly 1 foot (30.5 centimeters) high. These help the soil stay warm, and they provide better drainage. About five zucchini seeds should be planted about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) deep in each hill. Hills should all be roughly 3 feet (1 meter) apart.
After planting zucchini seeds, the soil should be kept moist. If the hills are allowed to become dry, the seeds may not germinate. The hills should be watered every couple of days during dry weather.
When most of the seedlings are a few inches (7.6 centimeters) tall, the smallest ones can be removed. About three of the largest and strongest seedlings should remain in each hill. It is usually better to cut the smaller seedlings, since pulling them from the ground can possibly damage the other seedlings' roots.
