Trieste White Zucchini is best harvested when the squashes are small to medium-sized, around 4 to 6 inches long. Harvesting early ensures the skin remains tender, the seeds stay soft, and the delicate, nutty flavor is at its peak. Regular harvesting also encourages the plant to continue producing new squashes.

Blossom end rot is typically caused by inconsistent soil moisture, which prevents the plant from absorbing calcium properly. Maintain regular, even watering—aiming for about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week—and mulch around the base of the plant to retain soil moisture. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can promote foliage growth at the expense of fruit quality.

Zucchini plants produce separate male and female flowers. Early in the season, the plant often produces mostly male flowers (which have a simple straight stem) that fall off after shedding pollen. Fruit only forms behind female flowers (which have a tiny immature squash at the base). If female flowers are dropping without fruiting, low pollinator activity may be the cause, and you can hand-pollinate by transferring pollen from a male blossom to a female blossom using a small paintbrush.

Yes, because Trieste White is an open-pollinated heirloom variety, you can save seeds from year to year. However, because Cucurbita pepo varieties easily cross-pollinate with other squash, pumpkins, or gourds growing nearby, keep plants isolated from other C. pepo varieties if you plan to save pure seed for next season.