Zucchini in Zone 7a & 7b
Cucurbita pepo
Yes, zucchini grows in zones 7a and 7b. Start seeds indoors Mar 20–Mar 27 and plant out Apr 17–Apr 24.
When to plant zucchini in zone 7b
Zones 7a and 7b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Mar 20–Mar 27 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 17–Apr 24 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 6–Jun 13 (~50 days after planting) |
Spacing: about 4 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 7b
These go outside within two weeks of zucchini in zone 7b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoApr 24–May 1
- Bush BeansApr 17–Apr 24
- Sweet CornApr 17–Apr 24
- CucumberApr 17–Apr 24
- Winter SquashApr 17–Apr 24
- BroccoliniApr 10–Apr 17
Zucchini's reputation for overwhelming a garden is well-earned: a single healthy plant can produce more squash than most households can eat, which is exactly why our planting calendar puts just one plant per square foot rather than clustering several together.
How zucchini fits zone 7's season
Zone 7b's frost-free window runs about 198 days, from April 10 to October 25. Zucchini needs about 50 days from sowing to first harvest.
Zucchini planting windows in every zone
Zone 7b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | May 9–May 16 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | Jul 26–Aug 2 |
| 4a & 4b | Apr 24–May 1 | May 22–May 29 | Jul 11–Jul 18 |
| 5a & 5b | Apr 19–Apr 26 | May 17–May 24 | Jul 6–Jul 13 |
| 6a & 6b | Apr 4–Apr 11 | May 2–May 9 | Jun 21–Jun 28 |
| 7a & 7b (your zone) | Mar 20–Mar 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jun 6–Jun 13 |
| 8a & 8b | Mar 4–Mar 11 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | May 21–May 28 |
| 9a & 9b | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | Apr 13–Apr 20 |
| 10a & 10bSpring window | Jan–Feb | Feb–Mar | ~50 days after transplanting |
| Summer window | Jul–Aug | Aug–Sep | ~50 days after transplanting |
| 11a & 11bSummer window | Not usually | Aug–Mar | ~50 days after planting |
Harvest dates are about 50 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
- Marigold: Marigolds deter squash bugs and beetles.
- Nasturtium: Nasturtium is a trap crop that draws aphids away from squash.
Where to buy zucchini seeds
True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's zucchini seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Dunja (F1, Organic): Johnny's Seeds describes it as early and powdery-mildew resistant, worth considering in humid climates where PM regularly cuts a zucchini season short. Buy: High Mowing Organic Seeds Full notes
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing zucchini" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 7b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Zucchini in USDA zone 7b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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