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
10 Jan 09, hagges (New Zealand - temperate climate)
hi i grow a lot zucchini and mine to started to rot on vine so i increased calcuim nitrate to the plant and this fixed my problem (i make my own food hydroponic) hopw this helps
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06 Dec 08, Judy (Australia - temperate climate)
Some of my zucchini aren't growing out properly, they have a round ball on the end, not a nice long even shape. does anyone have any suggestions?
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20 Nov 08, Sam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My zucchinis have been going great guns, until recently. the ends are going soft and then rotting. Can anyone help with what causes this and how I can fix it? Thanks.
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19 Nov 08, Georgia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Paul, the white spots are powdery mildew. You can treat it without spraying chemicals by mixing full cream milk and water together so that there is 2 parts water and 3 parts milk. There are antibacterial properties in milk that will kill the mildew. But you need to do it once a week and the milk mix must dry on. If it rains you need to spray with the milk mix again. Also make sure that you don't wet the leaves when you water the plant...
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12 Nov 08, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Billie, check behind the flowers. The ones with a miniature fruit are female. You can use pollen from the others. If all the flower stems are straight, you have male flowers only. That seems to happen when the weather is a bit cool as the plants start flowering.
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11 Nov 08, Billie (Australia - temperate climate)
Do I mix pollens from flowers on the same plant or different plants? Thanks Liz
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11 Nov 08, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Billie, and Bridget, your zucchini are dropping off because they are not pollinated. You can help pollination with a soft paintbrush if there are not many insects around.
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10 Nov 08, Bridget (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
This year my zucchinis are growing only to the size of my little finger then dying off. Is the soil lacking something?
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06 Nov 08, Billie (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted zucchini's and they are flowering. However the flowers then die and drop off. There is no sign of any fruit. Is this normal? Thanks
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03 Nov 08, Grahame (Australia - temperate climate)
Peit, No that is not true - one zucchini plant will produce fruit.
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Showing 321 - 330 of 356 comments
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It is usually a sign of Low Calcium in the soil. you can get some products that contain calcium but they are mixed element sprays etc. you run the risk of putting to much of something else in, that is not required. Best tip I have been given is to place all your eggshell in water for 2 or 3 weeks, then water the base of the plants with this. and next time your preparing your soil, bury all your used (crushed) eggshell into the soil of the garden bed. I just started to use Eggshell water a month ago and I have already picked the new growth fruit that has no sign of the rot, some still do but instead of all of them rotting I get to eat 7 out of 10 now. Hope this helps.

- Pete

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