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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18 Sep 08, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Lisa, zucchini/courgettes behave like that when they are not fertilised. You could try using a soft paintbrush to do it by hand.
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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!

- Tracey

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