Pruning Zucchinis - Garden Quickie Episode 155
Zucchinis Are Monster Growers! No question about that. These summer squash types are some of the largest and most productive crops you'll ever grow. Sometimes though, they grow too big for their own good.
In today's Quickie, we'll look why, when, and how we prune our zucchinis and it goes so fast, I suggest you watch it twice! :-)
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#zucchini #gardening #gardeningtips
Пікірлер: 106
If you're just starting out gardening in 2023, please check out my Amazon Affiliate links below to get the right tools for the job! It doesn't cost you a cent, but this channel receives a small incentive for any items purchase through Amazon. Happy Gardening! Seedling Trays! Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3xiKAgi Amazon USA: amzn.to/3DWD2DR Amazon UK: amzn.to/3RRlrCQ pH/Water/Light Meter Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3yafmrV Amazon USA: amzn.to/3OKRW30 Amazon UK: amzn.to/3nvEIM4 Composting Tumbler! Amazon Canada: amzn.to/39CgtYw Amazon USA: amzn.to/39Dha49 Amazon UK: amzn.to/3yLsKVf Handy 12-piece Garden Tool Set!: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3jsNIyk Amazon USA: amzn.to/2YZhFwx Amazon UK: amzn.to/3qapNql Hand Pruners: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2YSIFxP Amazon USA: amzn.to/3q3Oftq Amazon UK: amzn.to/2YR3Xf8 Watering Can: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/39U4nIc Amazon USA: amzn.to/2YR3p94 Amazon UK: amzn.to/3oX7hAa Spray Gun: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3aBxijm Amazon USA: amzn.to/3aL7UHS Amazon UK: amzn.to/3ruol1Z Gardening Gloves: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2Lt6ZDx Amazon USA: amzn.to/3tzJ32t Amazon UK: amzn.to/3jpf1cU
Short and sweet. I take a 5 minute break from mowing grass, plug in a garden quickie video, and now I can’t wait to get back to gardening. Jeff, you da man! Rock on.
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much Jim!!
YAY JEFF, JUST IN TIME. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TEACHING US. FATHER GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IN JESUS NAME 🙏 ❤ LOVE YALL ❤
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Thanks melinda! Hope the week is going well. 🙂
I’m a new Long Island gardener and watching all you quickie videos are teaching me so much. Jeff I want to thank you for all you teach me.
This answered every question I had, and I am so confident I can go out there and tame my beasts now 😂😂😂
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
3 күн бұрын
@@thundrtkr8910 ha ha, love it! Although are zukes ever truly tamed? Lol
@thundrtkr8910
2 күн бұрын
@@TheRipeTomatoFarms I went back out there and most of them make sense now. However, there’s one that looks like a tangled pile of cables that wants no part of this ‘taming’.
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
2 күн бұрын
@@thundrtkr8910 ha ha yeah, one of THOSE guys.... I know them all too well!
Those look amazing. I failed my garden. The heat stroked me out of the game this year and it's been rough getting out there to try again. Thank you for always posting the best content.
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Sorry to hear that, but you're not alone. Last year and the year previous the heat was just brutal. Makes things so much more difficult.
@cut--
Жыл бұрын
wow it's rained 20 of 35 days here in Maine (or cloudy). I guess I'll take rain over heat. 🤔
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
@@cut-- yeah, depending on the crop, rain usually wins!
Its like you've got a camera in my backyard and you know what my exact garden question is with every new upload lol first the garlic and now the zuccs! I went out this morning to catch some open blossoms to pollinate and I stood there wondering if I should prune some of the leaves. I snipped one, but after watching this im about to go do more!
Spot on video. I use the garden gloves dipped in polyurethane to stop the leaves from making me itch. Also, I use a small serrated knife for harvesting and pruning works very well for me. I plant on 2ft centers, and any leaves that touch the next plant get pruned out as they scar fruit and interfere with pollination. The bugs will eventually win, so be sure and consider succession crops every 30 days if you want zucchini all season.
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Oh heck yes! The leaves (and stems) make my hands and arms itch like crazy!
My first Zuchinni had produced a few small fruits but incessant rains have made sure that they rotted out while still small.
@NNTorious
Жыл бұрын
Most likely it was not the rain but that in fact was actually lack of pollination. Zucchni grow incredibly fast if they aren't sizing up then it has not been fertilized.
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Uugghh...sorry to hear that!
@Acts-1322
Жыл бұрын
@@NNTorioustrue, constant heavy rain likely means pollinators didn't want to be out foraging either
Mine just died. The heat here in zone 10B Florida has been fierce
First! Nice job, Jeff! I actually need to get out into the garden right now and take care of some monstrous zucchini, lol
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Ha ha, I hear you on that one! Although the big ones do make a mean zucchini bread! 🙂
Thanks for this because I have this growing out back for the first time.
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Best of luck with the harvests!!
Never pruned anything on my Zucchini’s, but with your good Tipps I will start today. Thank you
I've been following your videos for several years. You helped out with my strawberries 🍓. Now on to my zucchini plants.
I love this guy. You are the best gardening channel yet. Everything is explained in a manner even the newest grower can understand. Thanks man. You're the best!
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
10 ай бұрын
Hey, too kind! Thanks so much for the support and for watching the videos! 🙂
Good to know. Never would have known this without you.
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Cheers janna, happy to provide the info!
Thank you!! I have been struggling with my zucchini plant for a a little over a month now. The fruit won't finish growing, it starts to dry up. >.< But, I realized the plant is very good at twisting on itself and so I started pruning and am hopeful to finally get a few squashes before it gets cold outside!! :) This was so helpful! I don't think the intense NC heat we've been getting this summer has helped either, but luckily it's supposed to start staying in the 80's here pretty soon.
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
10 ай бұрын
Happy to help, fingers crossed you get a few to harvest!
Good info, never heard this before. Thanks!
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Glad you liked, thanks for watching! 🙂
Great video bud. Hope you’re doing well. 🌶️
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Thanks dale, you as well! 🙂
Excellent! My zucchini got almost 6 feet tall!😅😅😅Lesson learned
Thank you
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Cheers Kevin!
Thank you Jeff!😊
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Cheers Linda! :-)
Thanks again Jeff!
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Cheers, thanks for stopping by and watching!
Excellent video. Thanks Jeff.
I'm embarrassed to say my Zuchs are looking pretty puny. The stocks are the size of pencils. I only had one decent size zuch grow to harvest it. Hope they thrive the summer.
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
They can definitely keep going and surprise you!
Thank you. This helps!
would love a primer on squash beetles. ty Jeff 😉
Every part of the plant is edible, so you can eat the leaves you prune off as long as they're still green. The spent flowers are pretty good fried.
@afetticini
Жыл бұрын
How do you prepare the leaves? Are you sautéing them like spinach? And frying the flowers? Oh wow! I'd love to try that! Can you give me a link or explain!!?? Blessings and Thanks! 🙏💜
@FrozEnbyWolf150
Жыл бұрын
@@afetticini Sautéed can work, as can making soup out of them. Use them like you would any large greens.
Excellent, thanks!
Very helpful quick video. Thanks 🌱
Awesome info! Thank you!!
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much for watching! 🙂
Fantastic thank you!
I found this video at the perfect time!!! My husband was just asking about pruning, since this our first year planting a garden. Thank you for amazing content!!!
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
11 ай бұрын
Hey, happy to help! :-)
Hey, I am curious…does this also apply to other squash and pumpkins?
There’s my favourite lady bug!! 155! Going strong!
Excellent, concise, informative. Thank you
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Cheers Jim, thanks so much for watching!
As a fourth-year gardener I said this would be my last year of growing squash and zucchini if I have problems with the squash bugs like past years,,, I've only seen a few squash bugs and eggs but I have found a bunch of frogs in my garden maybe they're eating the squash bugs I don't know hope I don't have a new problem on my hand with the frogs❤😢😂😂
@bigoljoe1829
Жыл бұрын
Encouraging frogs and lizards are a great way of controlling squashbugs. My main nemesis is the squash vine borer. Barely get a couple harvests per plant before they keel over. Its so discouraging.
I may try zucchini next year, I just need to kill off squash bugs this year.😂
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
:-)
Another great episode!! Do you have any tips for blossom end rot?
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
3 ай бұрын
Thanks! Yes, it's almost always water with tomatoes... But with zukes, it's actually pollination!
Does this also apply to pumpkins and gourds?
Hi Jeff...Heard pruning sets off a plant scent that attracts the bug chewers...do u think PINCHING w fingers would close that off...or what are ur thoughts? I'm guessing u never had a prob lol. I have a very difficult time here in FL growing them. They get going great & then chewed away😆
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
That is interesting debie.....I wonder if the bugs could smell the fresh cut stems. I think pinching would squish it and make it worse though.
Mantap....
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Boom
Yellow squash and acorn squash as well?????
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Yup...basically the same plants.
@misstlc7136
Жыл бұрын
@@TheRipeTomatoFarms thank u
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
@@misstlc7136 :-)
Does this work for yellow squash as well?
I have 5 zucchini plants I grew from seeds. 2 are in a raised "bed" (kiddie pool) they are doing better than the 3 in ground. My question is it normal for them to I guess fall over at the base? Should I add more dirt. Are they going to break? I love this veggie and I would really like to figure out how to grow lots of them. I tried last year but the plants never produced and they gre out the ground like the roots did. Or that's what it looked like. This year I've already had one to eat!! 😋. I'm so worried they are going to mess up I sit and watch them. 😂. Should I stake them? Add dirt? Or is this just normal?
Thanks Jeff! This is what I’m going to do first thing in the morning, 😂♥️👍👍👩🌾 but I was wondering why my yellow squash are hard when they are only 5” even shorter than that. 😔🤦🏻♀️ thanks again take care 🙏🏻👍👩🌾
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Hard like inedible emy?
@emylytle7149
Жыл бұрын
Yes, like it matured already unlike the ones you buy at the groceries 🤷♀️😔
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
@@emylytle7149 interesting.... Any heat waves recently?
@emylytle7149
Жыл бұрын
@@TheRipeTomatoFarms it’s still in the 80’s-90 here, so should I just save the seeds from those yellow squash? I don’t want to waste it. 😔👩🌾 thanks Jeff
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
@@emylytle7149 yeah, some of the yellow ones can take the heat. If you have enough you can save and plant maybe?
Unfortunately....I killed my zucchini plant from pruning:( Next year I am going to let it grow as wild as it wants and see if I get more zucchini. Only my first year gardening so I have alot to learn.
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
8 ай бұрын
Sorry to hear that Nancy.... Let us know how it grows for you next year without the pruning!
Ok, ok, ok... I'll prune my zucchini today! It's as if you knew I was procrastinating. Btw, does the same theory apply to cantaloupe, pumpkins, and such? Thank you!
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Pumpkins are a bit more of a crawler.... You can still remove old foliage.... For sure. But they also support much larger fruit. Canteloupe I don't prune, but my growing season with them is super short
@cuznclive2236
Жыл бұрын
@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Thank you! Zone 5A (5/11 to 9/21 frost/freeze dates) in southern VT; I understand the restrictions with short growing seasons. Thought to try cantaloupe because my daughter saved some seeds (she's three); calling them Kennyloupe. Hoping she gets at least one! Thank you!
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
@@cuznclive2236 that's so awesome. Yeah with the Kennys I start then early indoors and then plant them when the nights stay above 65....they need at least 2 months in the garden to produce anything. Best of luck!
@cuznclive2236
Жыл бұрын
@@TheRipeTomatoFarms I have them in an outside Martha tent atm because it won't stop raining; they are ready to plant. I want her experience to be "fruitful", and I'm doing my best to "Make it so." Thank you!
My zucchini plants has grown to 4 to 5 small leaves nd stopped growing😢. They are about 3 inches tall nd been like that for a month or so. I direct planted. 2 have flowered but worried it wont produce 😕
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
Very strange.....what's the weather doing? Over or under watering maybe?
@chulasexychica11
Жыл бұрын
Weather did fluctuate alot the first 2 weeks going from high 90s to low 48 degrees the last 2 weeks its been low 80s to low 50 at night nd very windy. I was thinking the high winds maybe. Or the soil i amended. I have sandy soil so i added compost 2 ft deap 3ft across. Should i tranplant them to pots? Do they do good with transplanting?
What size should I let the zucchini get before harvesting it?
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
I harvest mine when they are about hot dog length.
@FrozEnbyWolf150
Жыл бұрын
I let them get leg sized. They're still good.
@TheRipeTomatoFarms
Жыл бұрын
@@FrozEnbyWolf150 ha ha solid wood!
@FrozEnbyWolf150
Жыл бұрын
@@TheRipeTomatoFarms It takes on the texture of a pumpkin. You can still eat it, you just have to cook it. When I saved a large zucchini at the end of the season for seeds, it actually kept for several months on the shelf like a winter squash, and slowly turned orange. I got the mature seeds out, and the gourd was still edible.
Don't forget about pruning to a central leader.
Do okra video
Thank you