Zucchini fruit that shrivels before it grows usually points to a problem with pollination, water, pests, or plant stress. The tiny squash may look promising one day, then turn yellow, wrinkle, and drop off before it reaches anything close to harvest size.
That frustrating little zucchini failure can make a gardener question everything from the soil to the weather. Fortunately, the plant often leaves clues. A shriveled fruit usually tells a story, and once the cause becomes clear, the fix often involves a few practical changes rather than a complete garden overhaul.
