Part IV · Crop record 04

Zucchini

After two questionable fruit aborted August 21, two different zucchini were confirmed successfully pollinated August 22 and a likely third continued developing.

2026 STATUSTwo confirmed · one likely← all crop stories

Growth timeline

The season in three field marks

MAY 7

Direct-sown into moist prepared soil.

JUL 7–31

Several young fruit aborted despite vigorous foliage and hand pollination.

AUG 21–22

Two questionable fruit aborted and were removed; two other zucchini were confirmed successfully pollinated with a likely third developing.

01

Planting

Zucchini was direct-sown May 7 in the shared production row after weeding and balanced fertilizer.

02

Fertilization

The row received compost top-dressing. Additional nitrogen was avoided after foliage became very large without reliable fruit set.

03

Irrigation

Drip irrigation and rainfall were used to keep moisture even; erratic moisture was treated as one possible contributor to abortion.

04

Pest history

Squash bugs were removed from the cucurbit area, including one found inside an open female flower. Egg-cluster checks continued.

05

Harvest progression

One zucchini harvest was recorded August 3. The late-August record then tracked two confirmed successfully pollinated fruit and a likely third.

06

Companion record

Zucchini shared its row and pollinator traffic with summer squash, beans, and okra.

07

Organic practices

Hand pollination, hand removal of squash bugs and eggs, selective lower-leaf removal, and moisture consistency were tested.

08

Yield

By August 22, two fruit were confirmed successfully pollinated and a likely third was developing; two earlier questionable fruit had aborted.

What I’d change next year

Use a lower-nitrogen start, begin flower notes with the first male bloom, and record morning hand-pollinations by fruit.

Next crop recordSummer squashThree squash were confirmed successfully pollinated by August 21–22 while younger female fruit and abundant male flowers continued on vigorous vines.