Question
i am a beginner in container gardening living in east bay,san francisco.i have some fresh seeds that i picked out of a store bought zuchini.can i plant them in a small container for now ? i have a small deck.will the plant be manageable in a container in this deck area? thanks for all your help.

Answer
Rex, zucchini need at least 2' of space and 8" of depth to grow well. They spread rapidly, so unless you stake them, containers are not the ideal growing method.

If you would still like to give it a try, purchase a larger pot that is at least 12" wide and 12" deep. Since they require a lot of space, you will only be able to plant one plant per container. I would sow 2 or 3 seeds and wait until they each develop their fourth set of leaves. Then I would choose the healthiest looking of the three and snip the others at their base. Do not pull them out or you will disturb the roots of the remaining plant. Also, be sure to use a fertile potting mix. Because this medium is composed of organic matter, the plant will thrive until mature. You can then supplement the feeding every 10 days with a water-soluble fertilizer high in phosphorus to promote continuous blossoms.

I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike