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                  
      T                
      P P P            

(Best months for growing Zucchini in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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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08 Jan 18, Tony Barnes (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted my zucchini early in raised beds. Brilliant start looked good producing well. Then these and later plantings have started well but the leaves get a shrivelled look around the edges and only male flowers are produced. When I pull these plants out the roots are quite rotten looking. Am in Northern Rivers area NSW so very humid with warm/hot winds.
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09 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Try growing from Sept - as you say hot and humid now.
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26 Dec 17, Steve (Australia - tropical climate)
All about the soil, my plants are the size of seven week old plants. Try a mix of compost, coir, perlite and tomato mix.
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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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04 Dec 17, Robert (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 2 plants that are growing well, I have one zucchini that matured,but now the small fruit are turning yellow before the flowers open and fall off. Any advice please.
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08 Dec 17, Fred (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Mix one cup of milk to 2 litters of water and put 2 cups of the mixture into the base of each plant. And you need to use this lime sprinkle two hand full around the base of the plant before watering.
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08 Dec 17, Fred (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Dolomite lime. It's a good source of calcium. For some reason the link in my previous reply was deleted.
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13 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
They don't post links.
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Showing 101 - 110 of 356 comments
See comments for all plants

Mel, they are probably male flowers. (Female flowers have small zucchini below them). You can help along with the pollination by transferring the pollen from the male flower to the female flower with a small brush if the female flowers drop off and no zucchini growing. The recent heatwaves may also contribute to your problem.

- Lee

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