1. Determine which blossoms are male and contain pollen: Males stand on slender stalks.

2. Locate female blossoms, which have a small zucchinis beneath that will grow into an adult vegetable when pollinated.

Here’s a look at the happy couple.

Blossoms

3. Wait until morning when female blossoms open their petals. Then, shake the pollen from the male blossom onto the stigma in the center of the female blossom. You can use a cotton swab or paintbrush to push the pollen onto the stigma. Or just pluck off the male blossom leaves and shake the pollen directly onto the female.

Qtip

4. Close the female blossom with a piece of pantyhose, and let nature take its course.

Here’s a video that shows how to pollinate a zucchini blossom that’s growing in a bag of soil.

Blessed event

Five days after pollination, a 4-oz baby zucchini was harvested. Couldn’t be prouder.

Result