The time has come, the first zucchini are ripe. Between June and October, the zucchini plant bears fruit in abundance. Even if the first fruits are eaten, the plant continues to bear fruit - until the first frost.
When and how should you harvest zucchini?
Zucchini should be harvested between June and October when they have reached a size of 15-20 cm. Cut with a sharp knife, leaving a 5cm stem for longer shelf life.
Harvest time
The first fruits are ripe after just 6 – 8 weeks. You start harvesting when the fruits have reached a size of 15 - 20 cm. This is when the zucchini tastes best. You can also wait until the fruits are fully grown, but then you have to compromise on the taste. In addition, larger fruits become increasingly woody.
Continue to increase yield
For a rich harvest, it is important that you harvest the ripe fruits quickly. Then the plant can continually develop new flowers and fruits. The longer the fruits stay on the plant, the lower the yield.
Where to put all the fruit?
The fresh zucchini will last for about two weeks. You can preserve fruits that are not used straight away by drying and pickling them. Freezing is only recommended for varieties such as “Golden Rush F1”.
Tips & Tricks
To harvest zucchini, all you need is a sharp knife with which to cut off the fruit. If you leave a 5 cm long stalk on the fruit, the shelf life of the zucchini increases by a few days.
