What Enterprise is Sustainable for Me?
Zucchini
To evaluate how well this enterprise aligns with your farm's agronomic, marketing, financial and management resources, answer these five questions. Then, calculate your score.
Using a scale from 0 to 100, scores indicate your farm's likely success with an enterprise.
The icons link to resources you can use to answer these questions.
QUESTIONS
HELP ME ANSWER THIS
1. Because zucchini have short shelf lives and don't store well for extended periods, do you have access to adequate nearby markets?
Yes
No
No
2. For harvest, hand labor can enable producers to take greater care in handling the immature zucchini fruit, which can easily scratch or bruise. Zucchini also requires frequent harvests. Does your operation have enough hand labor available for harvest?
Yes
No
No
3. Does the planned planting area drain well; record pH levels that range from 6.0 to 6.5; and lack recent cucurbit production history, herbicide residuals and extensive nematode pressure?
Yes
No
No
4. Are you willing to place a beehive near the zucchini production area to support pollination?
Yes
No
No
5. Does your operation have the capability to lay black plastic as mulch and use drip tape for irrigation?
Yes
No
No
Your ResultsX
1 of 3
Respond to the questions for an enterprise. Each question touches on a key factor that affects an enterprise's sustainability on your farm.2 of 3
Icons to the side of questions direct to other decision tools that share detailed information about a question's topic.3 of 3
After completing all questions for an enterprise, calculate your score. A pop-up page will share your results. Scores closer to 100 suggest the enterprise would align well with your farm. Scores closer to 0 suggest the enterprise would not fit as well, based on your responses to the questions.