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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05 Dec 17, Meg (Australia - temperate climate)
Mine are doing the same. From past experience I know that no fertilisation is taking place. Unfortunately the flowers are remaining closed so you can't even do it yourself!
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07 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I posted here in the pumpkin section - the female flower only opens one day and is shut by mid afternoon. So the bees or you have a very limited time to pollinate the female flower. Zucchini pumpkin cucumbers are from the same family so maybe this applies to all these plants. If you don't have bees then you need to look each day to see when the female flower opens. It takes approx. 12 visits by a bee to pollinate a pumpkin female flower.
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05 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read through the comments here for zucchini, there are many about this problem.
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22 Nov 17, Heather (Australia - temperate climate)
I have zucchini growing well but they are starting to go bad at the end where the flower is attached - this is when the flower has wilted but has not fallen off. Should I knock the flowers off when they have wilted?? many thanks for your advice
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23 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Try not to water around the flowers - water around the base of the plant. Your plants are probably not being pollinated by bees. Check to see if you have male and female flowers. You can pollinate by hand if no bees. Even some Epsom Salts around the plants may help. Read the other comments here.
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25 Nov 17, Heather (Australia - temperate climate)
thank you Mike, I appreciate the advice
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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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19 Nov 17, Phil (Australia - temperate climate)
I have some zucchini planted alongside a bed of sweet potato and have just read zucchini should not be planted alongside potatoes! The potato bed is secure in a raised bed. Please advise the issues? Regards................
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Showing 111 - 120 of 356 comments
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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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