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

02 Nov 08, Peit (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi I'm a newbie. I have been told that you need 2 zucchini plants to get fruit is this correct?
06 Oct 08, Paul (Australia - temperate climate)
Does anyone know why my Zucchinis might have white spots on the leaves? Does not appear to be a pest and last season the same thing happened to a fully grown crop which then died.
02 Oct 08, SONYA JONES (Australia - tropical climate)
My zucchinis are getting stung by something. It lays a maggot into the fruit on the top so I usually only get to eat half after I cut away the bad bits.
02 Oct 08, SONYA JONES (Australia - tropical climate)
I have grown zucchinis up here before without a problem but this time the fruits are getting stung by something. It leaves a few small brown spots on top and lays maggots inside. I can only use half the fruit after I cut away the bad bits.
29 Sep 08, Grahame (Australia - temperate climate)
Gareth, We usually have about 3-4 zucchini plants for the 3 of us with plenty to give away to friends. You should get your fill of zucchini slice, stuffed zucchini etc... and you will probably be glad to see the back of them until next season... Make sure you check them every day because a little one can become a massive marrow in 1 or 2 days.
25 Sep 08, gareth (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
how many zucchini would give me a constant supply of zucchini.Do they need any special requirements?
18 Sep 08, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Lisa, zucchini/courgettes behave like that when they are not fertilised. You could try using a soft paintbrush to do it by hand.
17 Sep 08, gareth (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
marrows are a type of zuccini and dido but marrows taste better when larger that zuccini.Zuccini taste like cardboard after they have reached about 15cm
17 Sep 08, lisa (Australia - tropical climate)
I planted my Zucchini in July and they started fruiting about 3 weeks ago but they get to about 10cm and then the flower drops off and they dont get any bigger. they start rotting. What should i be doing. I only have the one plant, does it have something to do with germination??
14 Jul 08, Maan (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in QL Cairns, I have been over here only 6 months ,I grow Tomatos, green piper and zucchini,but the big problem with zucchini ,that the leave turs yelow blosums drops down before making the zucchini, few zucchinis sooo small turns yelow and rot ??? what is happing?/
Showing 331 - 340 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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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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