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

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14 Dec 09, Catherine (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi Judy, I have the same red/orange bugs eating my zucchini leaves I think. Any info from anyone on this would be appreciated. My onion, garlic, chili spray didn't seem to deter them.
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02 Dec 09, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Claire and Adam, The flower heads will drop off pollinated zucchini . Small zucchini rot because they are not pollinated. See earlier answers for info about hand pollination.
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02 Dec 09, Adam (Australia - temperate climate)
Claire, I would really like to know the answer to the rotting issue, mine start growing well and then some grow fully then some rot on the top, I want to know how to stop the rotting.
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22 Nov 09, Claire (Australia - temperate climate)
I have recently heard that you should pull the flower off the end of the zucchini once the zucchini has started to grow. The reson I was given is that if the flower is left on, it can cause the zucchini to rot due the amount of moisture it attracts??? I am going to try it as my zucchinis are begining to grow and then going yellow and rotting from the flower end? Has anyone else heard this???
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18 Nov 09, adam synnott (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi. With Zucchini, you have to pollinate the females with the males. I usually have 2 or 3 plants, enouhg for one person, and I use the males of one plant to pollinate the females of another. It's just a ritual I have every morning. And, they do just seem to grow on top of the soil, and have a spindly stem getting all the goodness for the plant. This is normal, and okay. A zucchini will let you know if it's not happy. It will wilt really quickly, and die really fast, if anything is wrong. They also cross pollinate very easily.
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18 Nov 09, Judy (Australia - temperate climate)
Brad - they often do this for a while at the start and then start producing zucchinis
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15 Nov 09, JUdy (Australia - temperate climate)
My zucchinis have red bugs that look a bit like ladybirds eating the leaves. Have grown zucchinis for 30 years and never seen them. Any ideas?
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13 Nov 09, Michelle (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, first time veggie grower. My zucchini were planted from seed about 6 weeks ago. They seem to be growing quite healthy, but still small and no flowers. I also planted cucumber after the zuchs, and they are twice the size. Can someone please tell me why my zucchini's are growing so slowly?? thanks
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10 Nov 09, Dianna (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My full grown zucchini fruits are spiky or hairy! Is this normal?? What do I do to get it off??
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17 Oct 09, allen bradford (Australia - temperate climate)
info on how to grow zucchini, are they a vine or groundcover type of plant
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Showing 291 - 300 of 356 comments
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I agree with John. For powdery mildew prevention and control I use a brew of 3tablespoons of baking (bicarb) soda, 1/2 teaspoon non detergent dish soap to 6litre of water. The soda changes the ph and destroys the spores, soap acts as sticking agent. MUST test spay, leave 24-48hrs observe for chemical damage. May need less soda. Do not add anything to brew like fertiliser or neem oil, as this will change the ph and the brew will either become ineffective or cause damage. When ok with mix, spray everything (plant, container, soil, stakes etc) all over. Give sprayer a good shake prior and during application. Don't pour leftover brew into soil - ph change can cause growth problems of young plants. I do this weekly from planting out regardless of need; this minimises powdery mildew starting up. My cucs, courgettes and toms get this treatment but the amount of soda required may vary. I keep a note of the brew(s) and results for future reference. Best done in the evening so it has time to do its thing overnight without the risk of sunburn. Make a fresh batch of brew for each spray session. Remove some additional leaves to enable good ventilation throughout plant. What variety of triphid are you growing?

- Karen

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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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