Growing Zucchini, also Courgette/Marrow, Summer squash

Cucurbita pepo : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                  S S S
T                     T

(Best months for growing Zucchini in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 70°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 20 - 35 inches apart
  • Harvest in 6-9 weeks. Cut the fruit often to keep producing.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Corn, beans, nasturtiums, parsley, Silverbeet, Tomatoes
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

09 Oct 09, Brad (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, planted Zucchini and the plants are thriving with both Female and Male flowers, however the females get to about 5-7CM long and then the flower drops off and the fruit does not grow any more and then dies about 2 days later. Any tips.
05 Oct 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Amber: I am guessing the cold got to them. Jeremy: The females are not getting polinated. Break off a male flower (narrow stem) peal the petals off and brush it inside a female flower (thick stem)
04 Oct 09, Jeremy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted Zucchini as seedlings 6 weeks ago... but the Zucchini only get to about 5cm then go yelllow.... I pick them off and more grow but not sure whats wrong. Also the plants are seeming to grow out of the ground so a light wind seems to beat them about, but I keep building the soil up around them. And when the big flowers come out, ants flock to them - not sure if this is ok for the plant.
13 Jul 09, Amber (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I Planted Zucchini seedlings. They all died. I have a no dig garden & doing things organically. The Strange thing is, all of my squash are growing really well. Very confused?! can anyone help?
28 Jun 09, Litsa (Australia - temperate climate)
Is is too cold to grow zuchinnis in Melton right now?
07 Jun 09, Helen (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in Cairns, my plants are like Ngaire (May 2) leaves are yellow/brown then drop off, the flowers are all male, no female ones. Any ideas??
31 May 09, Stixy (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in wa Kimberley my zuchs plants look great:big green leaves with no pest invasion, however, alot of the virgining fruit withers and yellows before reaching 1-2 inches. I thought they were easy to grow..I love zucchini Ps its around 30 C with lovely cool nights and they get plenty of water....but do they need more 1.Water or 2.Phosphate ???
02 May 09, Ngaire (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am trying to grow zuchinni for the first time. Many of the leaves are browning, shrivelling and dying away although there are a few flowers and fruit. Is this common?
12 Mar 09, EILEEN KELLY (Australia - tropical climate)
HELLO,,,,I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE ZUCCHINI PLANT GROWS UP FROM THE ROOTS OR DO THEY GROW ALONG THE GROUND ,,THANK YOU EILEEN K
15 Feb 09, Lee (Australia - temperate climate)
Mel, they are probably male flowers. (Female flowers have small zucchini below them). You can help along with the pollination by transferring the pollen from the male flower to the female flower with a small brush if the female flowers drop off and no zucchini growing. The recent heatwaves may also contribute to your problem.
Showing 301 - 310 of 356 comments

I have sown 2 sorts of courgette. The older seed (Italian) germinated as normal. The new seed purchased this spring has done nothing (the common yellow). At this stage seed pots are indoors

- Gill

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