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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for New Zealand | for all countries
08 Feb 11, (Australia - temperate climate)
where do you get the seeds from a zucchini plant so you can replant them and grow more the next season
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Feb 11, (Australia - arid climate)
Inside the plant there are the seeds
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Jan 11, mick (Australia - temperate climate)
i have never seen a better herb for attracting bees as a Borage plant and you can eat the flowers too.
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Jan 11, Ash (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, my zucchini is a really light green colour - not anything like those you buy in the supermarket? Is this normal? Should we pick it and eat it
Reply or Post a new comment
22 Jan 11, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Ash, Zucchini come in various shades from yellow to almost black/green. Your light green ones are quite alright to eat. If they have small raised 'ribs' along the length of them, they are particularly good.
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Jan 11, Jo (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi! I'm having the same problem in Mt Helena wa. I think it's due to less bees because of the drought. That's my only suggestion! I've tried putting buckets of water around to attract them.
Reply or Post a new comment
05 Jan 11, Kate Moore (Australia - temperate climate)
My zucchi plants grow enormous, flower copiously but then the fruit just shrivells away to nothing. I haven't had one fruit from either plant, despite about 10 flowers at a time per plant. I'm in Cottesloe, WA
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Jan 11, Tracey (Australia - temperate climate)
An even easier way to hand-pollinate - pick the male flower, pull the petals away leaving the stem and the stamen (the long yellow bit sticking out of the middle of the male flower) and brush the stamen onto the stigma (the thing inside the centre of the bloom) of the female flowers. You can do the same with other cucurbits eg pumpkins, cucummbers. I do mine on the way out of the house in the morning. Cucumbers are a bit harder as the flowers are so much smaller - you might need a paintbrush for those!
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Jan 11, Amber (Australia - temperate climate)
Me too, Kate! I'm in Trigg and experiencing the exactly the same with my zucchini plants. I was told that my problem is a lack of bees for cross pollination between the male ans female flowers...
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Jan 11, paul (Australia - temperate climate)
to hand pollinate: get a small soft paint brush, open the male flower gather pollen on brush then open female flower and light coat on the bit inside, you have now pollinated your zuchinni it should only take a couple of days to watch the zuchis grow, amazing!
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 261 - 270 of 356 comments
See comments for all plants

Chrystal, I think you will find possible answers to your problem amongst the previous comments.

- Liz

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.