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

10 Jul 08, Renee (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi i'm new to having a vegie patch and have been trying all year to grow zucchini, they all seem to end up being male plants (no fruit on the flower) and not very big.... other plants growing well inthe same bed are carrotts, tomatos, basil, rosemary, mint, nasturiams, lemon grass, chilli, lettuce, sweet potato and cucumber, any tips?? Can zucchini be grown in NQld
23 Jun 08, Leslie Reed (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
Great Stuffed Zuchinni Cut lengthwise, hollow out, par boil in hot water for 5 minutes for better taste. Meanwhile take insides and chop into bitesize pieces, saute with chopped onion, garlic, when almost done add in some chopped tomatoes. Can do many variations with Rice and even can add tomato sauce... whatever you like can be creative of just follow recipe. Mix with 1 lb sausage, hamburger or Turkey Burger precooked until done, drain off grease. Put in baking dish and Top with Parmesan Cheese and bake at 350 until cheese browns and Serve YUMMY!
30 May 08, jenny powell (Unknown climate)
large zucchini i cut in half length wise scoop out some flesh and fill it with a bolognese sauce and cooked rise mixed into the sauce. fill the zucchini cover with foil and bake in the oven can also have some cheese melt over the top to finish if desired lovely dish
22 May 08, Brodes (Unknown climate)
Hannah, I have grown huge zucchinis too and what I do is just cut the top off and hollow them out then you go down to your local chinese and get your favourite takeaway or even just some fried rice and stuff them. pop it in the oven wrapped in foil until the zucchini is cooked and you will never look back!!.
18 May 08, Chris (Unknown climate)
Hannah, it sounds like you didn't pick your zucchini early enough. Once the fruit are set I find that you need to pick them as soon as they reach an edible size. That's anything over about 5cm, depending how we're planning to use them.
18 May 08, Hannah - Samford (Unknown climate)
i am in senior highshool agricultre and we are currently growing zucchinis for a assignment along with other crops , but all the zucchinis we have grown grow to a huge size and taste watery and bland , any ideas why?
01 May 08, Kel (Unknown climate)
thanks for the handy hint DC - Kel
12 Apr 08, DC (Unknown climate)
In Australia, marrow most often means an overgrown zucchini but in other parts of the world "marrow" might be used for almost any member of the squash family.
04 Apr 08, Kel (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can you please tell me is a MARROW just an overgrown Zucchini ? I have always belived that they come from the same family but are different vegetables.
04 Mar 08, saini (Unknown climate)
This is the first time I have grown zucchini every thing was fine can anyone tell me what will be the average life of the plant. thanks
Showing 341 - 350 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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