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• Mulch to discourage weeds, retain moisture, and protect shallow roots.
• Zucchini thrive in moist soil. Water thoroughly, frequently, and consistently, with at least 1 inch per week. Water diligently when fruit form and throughout their growth cycle. The soil needs to be moist 4 inches down, so long soakings are best. Misshapen squash results from inadequate water or fertilization. 
• Keep your zucchini well-watered, and top up mulches occasionally to help lock in soil moisture for longer. Plants tend to produce only male flowers at first, and pollination can also be slow to start with anyhow, particularly in cool or damp weather.
• Remove any weeds that manage to poke through. To keep plants tidy, cut off any dead or shriveling weeds. Top up mulches, using organic matter such as garden compost, to help roots stay cool and moist.
• When the first blooms appear, side dress with a balanced fertilizer.
• Poor pollination by bees can be an issue. Squash flowers will not bear fruit or bear small fruit if not pollinated. Most squash plants produce both male (these appear first, on long thin stalks) and female flowers (these have an immature fruit behind them). To fruit, pollen from the male flowers must be transferred to the female flowers by bees—or by the gardener. Pollinate the female flowers manually with a cotton swab or add plants that attract bees near the squash.

Growing Zucchini and Summer Squash in Containers

The ever-increasing number of compact varieties suited for containers provide options for any taste and space. Bush plants are generally better suited to containers, but in a large pot with space to spread, vining squashes can produce a successful harvest.

Prepare a 5-gallon or 14-inch-diameter pot with rich potting mix for each variety of squash that you want to grow. When the soil temperature reaches around 70°F, or 2 weeks after the last frost date, direct-sow two seeds of the same variety 1 inch deep into the container and water to dampen. (Transplant homegrown or purchased seedlings if you want to jump-start the growing season.) Following germination, remove the weaker plant by cutting its stem; this is less disturbing to the roots. Water regularly to keep the soil moist. If you’re growing vining squashes, insert a trellis into the container for the plant to climb later.

About 6 weeks after the seeds have been planted, apply fertilizer. After the first true leaves appear (those after the initial two), apply a slow-release pellet fertilizer, according to the label’s directions. Follow up with a weekly dose of balanced fertilizer, based on the label’s guidance for the pot size. When watering, avoid getting water on the leaves. Water the soil 1 inch per week directly or set the container in a bucket or tub of water and allow it to be absorbed. As the plants grow, train the vines (if that type) onto the trellis or other support. Use string to gently secure them.