Downsides To Growing Zucchini Plants That Gardeners Should Be Aware Of

Zucchini is a popular pick for home gardeners. It is relatively easy to grow, can yield a bountiful harvest, and, of course, is delicious when used to prepare a range of appetizers, sides, and entrées. However, according to Tiffany Selvey, House Digest's Garden Editor and in-house Master Gardener, there is one major downside to growing zucchini that you'll want to consider before planting it in your home garden. When speaking exclusively with House Digest, Selvey said, "The biggest challenge comes with pest control. While there are many pests that affect zucchini, the most difficult to manage are squash vine borers and squash bugs."

Squash vine borers and squash bugs may be challenging to manage, but that doesn't mean that you can't keep them under control to keep your zucchini plants healthy. Ahead, we'll take a closer look at the damage that these pests can cause and why you really don't want to deal with them. We'll also share Selvey's recommendations for clearing up and preventing future infestations, as well as some other tips that can help keep your plants healthy.

While there are mistakes that you can make when growing zucchini plants, some are avoidable with planning and research. But, according to Tiffany Selvey, pests — specifically squash vine borers and squash bugs — are the biggest downside of growing zucchini. She explains that when you spot any evidence of vine borers, it can already be too late. The moths lay their eggs inside a zucchini plant's stem. "The hole she makes is so tiny, you don't see the damage until the larvae hatch and eat their way out. As they do this, they kill the tissue that allows the plant to absorb water and nutrients. Once they have eaten their way out, you will see damage on the stem that looks like sawdust, and your plant may wilt and die overnight," she said when speaking exclusively with House Digest. Unfortunately, once damage is visible, it's unlikely you'll be able to salvage the plant.

"Squash bugs are easier to identify, but still difficult to manage because they have tough exoskeletons that are impervious to all but the most powerful pesticides. They also hatch in huge numbers, so once you have squash bugs, you have a lot of them," Selvey warns about another common pest that can threaten your crop. While there isn't much you can do about a vine borer problem, Selvey says, "If you're diligent, you may be able to stop an infestation of squash bugs by checking the undersides of the leaves every day for eggs." If identified, carefully scrape them off. Hand-picking any bugs that you see on the plants is something else Selvey recommends to minimize damage.

Once you're facing an infestation of squash vine borers or squash bugs, it can be challenging to keep your crop healthy. Instead, the best option is to take preventative measures to protect your zucchini plants from these common pests in the first place. "To avoid dealing with zucchini pests, my best advice is to choose resistant varieties like Benning's green tint, the best summer squash for beginners," Selvey shared during an exclusive interview with House Digest. In addition to starting with a variety that is less likely to be affected by pests, Selvey notes that rotating your vegetable garden crops is incredibly easy and worth the little bit of effort. "Planting your squash and related cucurbits in different spots each year can help," she says.

Stay up to date with the research and success of plant breeders, too. According to Selvey, "There are also new vertical cultivars that have disease resistance and can also help prevent problems, like 'Kefren' from Johnny's Seeds. Growing these plants vertically reduces hiding spaces for squash bugs and makes vine borer damage easier to spot."

Selvey shares one more tip that could help you protect your zucchini plants against destructive vine borers. However, you'll only want to consider this option if you have some extra time to devote to your garden. "If you don't mind hand-pollinating, you can keep your squash under a row cover to keep vine borers from accessing the stems. Squash have male and female blooms, so if you block the borers, you're also blocking pollinators," she says.