When growing Zucchini, does the vine prefer a trellis or the ground?

Question

I'm growing Zucchini for the 1st time and am not sure if the vine is best sprawling out over the ground or if it's best to grow it on a trellis. Any thoughts or tips on the matter is greatly appreciated.

I'm in Macquarie Fields, (South Sydney area), NSW, Australia. It's the last month of spring with summer starting in December.

Answer 1

I trellis all of my squash including zucchini, but it's more my preference than the zucchini's. In no particular order, my reasons are:

• I have more vertical space than I do horizontal space. I plant the vines 3ft / 1m apart under a 6ft / 2m tall trellis, which they fill nicely. Without a trellis, they spread 6ft / 2m or more in all directions. I can fit over 6x the plants with trellises.
• It makes it easier for me to inspect and tend the plant. I am more likely to notice and address pests or mildew when they are up in front of my face.
• A trellis looks nicer, and improves my standing in neighborhood politics
• The zucchini grow a bit straighter, and don't discolor from ground contact
• It reduces pest pressure on the plant (groundhogs, in my case)
• I have a small garden on a south-west facing hillside in the northern hemisphere. Sunlight is scarce. Thoughtful trellis placement lets my plants catch more sunlight than they would on the ground.