Your comments and tips

04 Feb 18, Peter Wilson (New Zealand - temperate climate)

How can I tell when my zuchinies are ready for picking

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04 Feb 18, Quarteracre Kiwi (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Hi Peter - Leave them as little or as big as you like. If you pick them when they are about 25cm long, they will be lovely, fleshy and seedless. If you leave them past this point, they will quickly become marrow, which are watery and full of seeds. Give them a twist and they will come off with a bit of stalk. They will keep for a good while in your veg chiller of your fridge. If you get lots, you can grate them and freeze them in ziplock bags for winter. Give them a squeeze in a teatowel after thawing though.

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13 Jan 18, John Bass (New Zealand - temperate climate)

re the question of 17 December. Tips of new courgettes turn yellow and then die back. Cause and treatment please.

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17 Sep 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Probably not being pollinated by bees. Female flower is only open for a day or so and generally shut by lunch. Read up about hand pollinating.

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16 Dec 17, Nikki (New Zealand - temperate climate)

I am having trouble with my courgette. It starts off green and healthy, then the end gradually turns yellow which spreads up the the vegetable then it goes soft and shrivels up and dies. Do you know what's wrong? Thanks

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30 Dec 17, Kay Rooderkirk (New Zealand - temperate climate)

We are having the same problem with out courgettes, I have green and yellow planted. We are in the Wairarapa, they have been grown in the same ground with NO problem. They have been watered with liquid horse manure, planted in soil enriched with mushroom compost. The new leaves seem to be Ok at the moment. The air temperature has been hot and cold. Thank You

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05 Feb 18, Quarteracre Kiwi (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Some of my zucchinis used to do this too. I find if they grow on the ground they are more susceptible to this, so I lay pea straw around the base of my zuccs, and under where the growing fruit lies. This has helped. Another thing that helps is not watering the plant from above, but only watering at the base, so I have drippers on mine. My best zuccs this year are in a planter box, and they hang over the side. I have propped the plant up, so the fruits hang down in mid air. They are doing great and I haven't had any rotten ones grow on this plant at all. Another thing to consider is whether they are unfertilised ones that grow a bit and then die. Pumpkins do this. Make sure the flowers are accessible to bees, and I wonder if that's why my propped up one is doing the best of all.

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21 Nov 17, Hannah (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Hello, I am new to growing vegetables in general, and am really enjoying it. I recently planted three courgette plants, and did as instructed on the label which was to plant on a raised bed. They are not looking 100% happy at the moment, drooping a bit and some of the leaves are bit burnt/brown around the edges. I was wondering on some good tips for growing courgettes? And how often I should be watering them? Thanks. H

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17 Sep 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I wouldn't worry about the raised beds so much - good draining soil required. Small plants need small regular daily watering - shallow roots. Bigger plants a good watering each 2-3 days. Water around the base and soil and not on the leaves if you can or water early in the day so the leaves dry quickly. Hand pollinate if you have no bees.

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30 Dec 17, Andrew (New Zealand - temperate climate)

I had the same issue , they took awhile to come away but are growing well now , Rock melons do the same , I was told to keep them in a bigger pot till they got a bit stronger before planting in soil , they can get a fungis if to small and vulnerable , do not water at night .

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