Vertical Zucchini Growing for Beginners: My First Time Growing Black Beauty
A top-down view of one of my Black Beauty zucchini plants in early bloom. You can see the large, textured leaves spreading out, with a bright yellow male flower fully open near the center. Just below it, a female flower with a small baby zucchini attached is waiting to bloom next. This is one of the reasons I love growing vertically—easy to spot growth stages and pests at a glance.
The 2025 season was my first time growing zucchini. With more space in the garden this year, I knew it was finally time to give it a proper shot. I’d heard how much these plants produce, and we eat a lot of zucchini in my house (especially fried zucchini, don’t judge me).
So yeah, it was time.
Before I even planted a single seed at home, I got my first hands-on experience with zucchini at my farm apprenticeship. We planted an entire 36 ft bed, weaving in nasturtiums between each plant. I was inspired. I felt behind at first, but my boss reminded me I had more than enough time to get a solid harvest in.
And like I always do, I hit the books. Before any seeds touched soil, I did my research on how to grow zucchini right.
At the farm, we had enough room to let the plants sprawl.
But at home?
Not so much. So when I came across a video from Epic Gardening on growing zucchini vertically, I knew immediately
That’s how we’d do it at Prairie Dog Farms.
But before we talk trellising, let’s talk about the variety I chose.
Black Beauty Zucchini
I only grew one variety this year:
Black Beauty.
I’m not the biggest fan of yellow squash, so I didn’t bother starting those. I do have a few autumn squashes planned for a fall harvest, but that’s another story.
Black Beauty is a classic for a reason. It’s one of the most widely grown zucchini varieties
Productive
Reliable
Beginner-friendly.
This summer squash produces glossy, dark green fruits that are usually 6–8 inches long but can be harvested earlier for extra tenderness. The flavor? Mild and versatile, great for grilling, sautéing, or baking into zucchini bread.
The plants grow in a compact, bush-like shape, which makes them perfect for raised beds and small spaces. They love full sun, well-draining soil, and regular harvesting to keep those fruits coming.
Early Bloom on a Black Beauty Zucchini Plant
This was one of the first flowers to open on my Black Beauty zucchini plant. You can see how I’ve started training it to grow vertically using a simple support pole. The plant was still young here, but already showing signs of healthy growth. That bright yellow bloom is a male flower—these usually show up first to signal the plant is getting ready to produce fruit. Seeing this felt like the official start of zucchini season at Prairie Dog Farms.
Days to maturity: 50–60 from transplant
Spacing: 18–24 inches apart
Quick tip: Harvest early and often—oversized zucchini can get tough and seedy.
Starting Seeds Indoors
(And a Happy Compost Surprise)
I started my seeds indoors on April 19th, 2025, using some self-watering seed trays I got for Christmas (bless whoever gave me those). All I had to do was keep the reservoir filled (something I admittedly forget to do more often than I’d like) and boom! Stress-free seedlings.
The Seeds I Used!
This is the seed packet I used to grow my zucchini this season. Black Beauty from Gardeners Basics. It’s a non-GMO, heirloom variety known for its reliable growth and high yield, especially in backyard gardens.
If you're looking for a classic, beginner-friendly zucchini to grow vertically or in raised beds, this one's a solid pick.
Funny enough, my compost pile had a surprise for me:
A mystery zucchini seedling sprouted from some old kitchen scraps.
I dug it up and raised it like one of my own. You already know I couldn’t let that little underdoggo go to waste.
After some healthy indoor growth, I moved my seedlings out to the Prairie Dog Farms Greenhouse (which is really just my enclosed outdoor porch, but it does the trick.)
They got sunlight, wind, and temperature swings, which helped them harden off naturally.
After a month on the porch, they were ready for the soil.
Zucchini Growing Basics:
Light, Soil & Water
Zucchini plants love sunshine. To thrive, they need at least 6–8 hours of full sun per day.
Less than that, and you might end up with big leafy plants and barely any fruit.
Soil should be loose, well-draining, and rich in organic matter. I added compost before planting and used a mix of garden soil and organic raised bed mix in my bed.
As for watering, consistency is key. Especially once flowers start forming. I water deeply 2–3 times a week depending on the weather.
Shallow watering leads to shallow roots, and zucchini don’t play with drought.
Fertilizer Routine: Feeding Your Zucchini
When I transplanted my seedlings, I added a small handful of Vigoro Organic All-Purpose Plant Food (5-5-5) directly into each planting hole.
It’s my go-to for a balanced, slow-release boost that supports strong leaf and fruit development.
That second application will carry them through the rest of the season.
With the heat, the flowers, and the fruit load, they’ll need that extra push to keep producing strong.
How to Know When to Harvest
Zucchini fruit grows fast.
Like…
“I-swear-it-wasn’t-there-yesterday” fast.
This photo shows the vertical trellising system I use in action. You can see the main stem gently secured to a support pole using twine, giving the plant structure as it grows.
That zucchini fruit is still pretty young (probably around 3 inches long) but it's coming in strong.
Keeping the plant upright makes it easy to monitor fruit development, spot pests early, and train stems as they climb.
It’s also just satisfying to watch the plant grow up and out, instead of sprawling all over the place. This setup has made a huge difference in keeping my plants healthy, organized, and productive.
I harvest mine when they’re about 6–8 inches long, tender, flavorful, and not too seedy.
Wait too long and you’re looking at tough skin, hollow centers, and a lot more prep work in the kitchen.
Look for shiny, firm fruit. I harvest using garden shears or snips, you can always give a gentle twist, but I’m not too sure I trust myself just yet lol
Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping daily checks during peak season—you’ll miss your harvest window
Letting leaves touch the soil, which can invite disease
Overwatering or planting in soil that stays soggy—zucchini hate “wet feet”
Ignoring pest signs like eggs or nibbles under the leaves
Crowding your plants, especially if you’re not growing vertically. They need air to thrive.
Why I Grow My Zucchini Vertically
Limited space, disease prevention, and overall aesthetics made vertical growing a no-brainer.
Here's why it works so well:
1. Saves Space
Zucchini plants are naturally large and sprawling, often taking up several square feet per plant. Training them to grow up a trellis or vertical support keeps them compact and frees up valuable garden space for other crops.
2. Improves Airflow
Lifting the leaves and fruit off the ground increases airflow around the plant, which helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases like powdery mildew—a common problem in zucchini patches.
3. Reduces Pest Pressure
Keeping the leaves and fruit elevated makes it harder for ground-dwelling pests like squash bugs and slugs to access your plant. It also makes it easier to spot problems early before they spread.
4. Cleaner, Healthier Fruit
Fruit grown vertically stays off the soil, which means less rot, fewer blemishes, and a reduced chance of disease transfer from wet ground.
5. Easier to Harvest
No more digging through a tangled mess of stems and leaves—when your zucchini grows up instead of out, you can see and pick fruit more easily (and avoid surprise baseball bat-sized zucchinis).
6. Encourages More Production
Regular harvesting leads to more growth, and a vertical setup makes it easier to stay on top of picking fruit at the ideal size. The plant directs more energy into producing new zucchini instead of maintaining oversized ones.
7. Looks Good, Too
Let’s be real—it just looks better. A trellised zucchini plant adds structure and beauty to your garden while showing off those glossy green fruits like they’re on display.
The Setup: What I Used and How I Did It
Early summer garden bed featuring young zucchini seedlings spaced in a row beside a lavender companion plant. The surrounding area is covered with rich soil and bordered by freshly laid wood chip mulch, capturing the early growth stage in an urban backyard garden.
I planted three zucchini plants into a 3 ft x 8 ft bed, spacing them about 18 inches apart with two lavender plants mixed in, spaced roughly 8 inches from the zucchini.
I dug each hole, added a bit of organic fertilizer, and gave them a good, deep watering after transplanting.
Now, here’s the fun part. Earlier this year, a storm destroyed my cheap green plastic greenhouse (you know the one). A tree fell on it and crushed everything, including my mango trees 😭.
But in the wreckage, I found a gift: metal support beams from the frame.
I repurposed them into three 4-ft vertical supports for my zucchini.
I installed the beams right after transplanting, even though the plants were still small. I didn’t tie them at first—there was no need yet. But as the plants grew, I gently secured the main stem to the beam using garden twine.
I also chose to plant lavender alongside my zucchini, not just because it looks good—but because it helps deter pests and attract pollinators.
If you’re curious about why I made that decision and how I plan my beds, I break it all down in
How One Flower Changed My Garden
Dealing With Pests
Squash Bugs & Cucumber Beetles
I stay checking my plants for issues.
Striped Cucumber Beetle on a Zucchini Flower
Cucumber beetles are striped or spotted yellow pests that love to feed on zucchini plants, even though cucumbers are their namesake. They chew on leaves, flowers, and young fruit, leaving behind ragged holes and scarring. But the real danger comes from what they carry—cucumber beetles can transmit bacterial wilt, a devastating disease that blocks water flow in the plant and causes sudden, irreversible wilting. Once infected, there's no cure, and the entire plant can collapse within days. Early detection is crucial, as even a small number of beetles can do serious damage.
Squash Bug and Eggs on a Leaf
Squash bugs are one of the most common pests that target zucchini and other squash plants. Once their bronze-colored eggs hatch (usually on the undersides of leaves) the nymphs emerge and begin feeding almost immediately. These young bugs pierce the plant’s leaves and stems to suck out sap, which weakens the plant and causes wilting, yellowing, and crisping of the leaves (often mistaken for disease). If left unchecked, a heavy infestation can stunt growth, reduce fruit production, or even kill the plant entirely. Early detection and consistent monitoring are key to keeping squash bugs under control.
Luckily, I keep a pair of tweezers and a strong flick handy.
The Plant That Keeps Giving
(Until the Squirrels Showed Up)
For maintenance, I prune any leaves that touch the ground and let the plant do its thing. Zucchini is a beautiful plant when it’s happy—tall, bushy, and lush. Seeing three of them thriving in my little garden bed was one of the most satisfying sights of the season.
Then everything changed when the fire nation attacked.
(Just kidding… unless the squirrels work for them.)
Lately, I’ve been dealing with a major squirrel problem. Apparently they’re thirsty, and my zucchini leaves make the perfect water fountain. I’ve tried everything I can think of, but they keep coming. My once-pristine plants now look like they got a fresh haircut from a blind raccoon. I’m hoping they bounce back, but we’ll see.
Final Thoughts
Despite the squirrel sabotage, this zucchini season has been a huge win. Growing vertically was the right move for my space and style. If you’re thinking about growing zucchini—especially in a small garden—I can’t recommend it enough.
The only thing I’d do differently? Start my seeds earlier. May was fine, but next year I might aim for a late March or early April start to get an even earlier harvest.
Thinking about growing zucchini?
Tag me or drop a comment—I’d love to see your setup.
