How to Grow a “Zucchini Tree”: Easy Vertical Staking Guide
INSIDE : Learn how to grow a “Zucchini Tree”, the easy vertical staking method with step by step instructions for better air flow and space saving tips!
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I adore zucchini and so does my family. You may have seen my post about How to Grow Zucchini Plants in pots, it works! Zucchini is a vegetable that we look forward to eating every summer from the garden, the only problem is we have very small garden space.
As you can see from my post on creating a simple raised vegetable gardens, we have two 4’x4′ raised beds which I maximize as best as I can with all the produce growing space possible. I typically can fit one zucchini plant in a corner and pull the vines out of the bed to give it enough room.
Saving room in the garden for zucchini
Training a typically quite bushy zucchini vine up a central stake and then pruning it’s lower leaves and branches will create a palm tree like stem. This method of growing zucchini plants vertically along a stake is often called growing a “zucchini tree”.
How big do zucchini plants get?
Zucchini plants are not small in size. Zucchini plants typically grow into large rolling bushes that can easily measure 2 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. There are more rare vining varieties can stretch up to 6 feet long!
What supplies are needed for zucchini trees?
- zucchini plant(s)
- strong poles or stakes
- garden twine
- garden scissors (I actually have these and adore them)
Staking zucchini plants
Decide on location
When creating a vertical zucchini trellis using a pole method, start by doing a bit of visualization. Although growing zucchinis vertical hugely condenses their size, you still will have their top “tree” leaves growing from the trunk – so plan for them to be in an area that at least has 2′-3′ of space.
Plant zucchini plants
Once you know the location for your plant, it’s time to them in the ground.
Choose a full sun location, if you are doing seeds – sow seeds 1″ deep in warm soil and space plants at least 3 feet apart.
If you are planting seedlings or bigger, pick a spot with 6 to 8 hours of direct daily sun.
Mix a 2 to 3-inch layer of compost into the topsoil and make sure all chances of frost has passed.
Place stake
It’s important that shortly after you have planted you zucchini, you place the stake as well. If you wait until your plant has begun to significantly grow, adding a stake could first of all slice and cut the root system. And secondly, it may be more difficult to train the trailing nature of the zucchini stalk up your post as opposed to letting it trail along the ground.
Add garden twine to main stalk
Allow your zucchini plant to grow at least 4-6″ in length and then begin to add your garden twine to the main stalk. Cut about 8″ of twine and secure the stalk to your pole.
You have officially began the start of a zucchini tree!
As your plant grows every few days, add more garden twine and secure to the pole. If you forget and the plant grows too much on it’s own without securing it, the weight of the zucchini top and leaves with bend your stalk in half – which is no good, so make sure to keep on this task.
Prune zucchini lower leaves
As you are adding garden twine to keep your zucchini plant upright, you should plan to prune off a few of the lower leaves.
Never cut more than 20-30% of the leaves as they are beneficial to the plant. However, I always cut maybe one or two of the most lower leaves off as it grows.
In addition to trimming off lower leaves, as your plant grows you can remove any unfertilized zucchini blossoms and any flower stalks that have broken.
I sometimes prune the lower leaf stems just a bit closer to the main stalk. Sometimes it’s challenging to trim them close in the moment and easier as the plant grows taller.
How to harvest a Zucchini Tree
You will soon begin to see vegetables growing along the main stalk of your zucchini tree and just like a normal on the ground plant, allow the produce to grow to your desired size.
Make sure to not let it get too big and when you are ready to harvest – use hand pruners to cut your zucchini from the main stalk!
Space-saving garden hacks
Depending on what variety of zucchini plant you have, your plant may grow and grow taller and taller. So far mine has maxed out around 4′ in height, but it’s only early August so I am kind of excited to check back in here and let you know how tall it gets.
As I don’t have much space in my raised beds, this space saving garden hack has been a fun way to use my vertical space well!
Looking for more vegetable garden tips? Check out some of these…
