Because it depends. I would say a zuke will last until frost if everything goes well such as no SVBs, plenty of water, not to much water, no bugs, animals don't pull it up, your soil, weather, etc, etc. But it depends. Sometimes a zuke will bear for awhile and than stop and you might as well pull it up and plant something else.

The problem is gg, that in gardening you don't 'both have the same game'. No two gardeners will have identical conditions and that includes variety, soil, weather, care and bugs. So we can't give you 'a simple answer to a simple question'. We can only advise you based on our experience. And even if you do exactly what someone else on the forum does you will not get the same result. Basically a zucchini plant, if everything goes well, will be killed by the first frost you get. That is a definite. However, how long that plant will bear fruit before it is killed by frost is an unknown. See above. Personally I put in a couple of plants later in the season as a fail safe in case the early ones stop fruiting for some reason. But they will all be killed at the same time.

It also depends on what kind of zucchini you planted. Different varieties will have different results. Below is a link to a trial done by the Master Gardeners of Santa Clara Co, CA, on summer squash (yellow crooknecks and others as well as zukes).

They compared varieties for taste, texture, ease of picking, time from planting to first harvest (a range from about 40 to 70 days, depending on variety), harvest size (most varieties produced somewhere between 50 and 150 squash, with the total weight of harvest being between 50 and 100 pounds of squash, depending on the variety), etc.

It didn't say how long it will continue producing, but like with everything else, it probably depends on the variety.

See if the variety you planted is on the list, and see what it says.

I don't know how long one plant will continue producing. I've never really kept track of when they peter out in the fall.

Here is a link that might be useful: Summer Squash Trials

You didn't say if yours were producing or not. Are you currently getting any?

Another factor not mentioned is picking the zukes when they are small (8" or so). Because if you left them on the vine and they get large, the plant thinks "Seasons over, produce seeds, not fruit." So keep them picked and look for the one that always hides.

I think you should plant more. First, as insurance for SVB. Second because there can never be too much Zukes. I grate them, freeze them and use them all year in soups. casseroles and even spaghetti. Great way to stretch meat (esp if you peel the green off first) without anyone being the wiser.

Good luck!

gg,

You want a precise answer to an imprecise question. It can't be done.

You claim to be asking a "simple question". But it's the simplicity which gives it so many possible answers.

Jim

We could all give you an answer...but it wouldn't be the correct answer...cause it does really just depend...

Just grow it, and youll find out for yourself.....that way you can answer your own question....Thats about all I can say, cause youve heard and read it all aready...right?

So just grow it dude! Aint no love loss in it, its just a bunch of green mushy food anyway! and Good Gardenen to Ya!