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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24 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
The only benefit that I know of would be to increase air circulation and reduce mildew problems. If you are plagued by powdery mildew mix up a spray of 10% milk with water and thoroughly spray your plants. I can't explain why but it works. Trust this helps.
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29 Nov 16, Sukhdeep singh deol (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Ive got few acres of zucchinis at mildura area and as soon as the new fruit comes out it starts to turn yellow. Is it a lack of something or is it something else. Can you plz tell me what can i put on them.
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29 Nov 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
It sounds like they havn't been pollinated (fertilised). This is a growing problem with the diminishing bee population. If the area was small you could hand pollinate them but this is hrdly practical on two acres. You could stop and ask any other farmers growing zucchinis, pumkins, etc. They may have some advice.
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16 Nov 16, steven (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
if growing zucchinis you should not grow them with potatoes why
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26 Oct 16, bob (USA - Zone 7b climate)
where can i buy zepher squash
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05 Oct 16, Kimberly (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My husband has just got me to cut all the leaves off the ground and says this will help prevent the mould and produce better veggies - is this true?
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09 Jul 16, pete (Australia - temperate climate)
Try the climbing zucchini. The heirloom sort. You can by them at diggers.com.au called "Zuccini Tromboncino" they are much tougher. Always remember to make a $5 hole for a 50 cent plant. Dig deep fill with the soil you dug out mixed with compost 50/50.
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04 Jul 16, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Poor pollination
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05 Jul 16, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Agreed! All of my zucchini flowers died :( This is not normal. When I was a child my Dad grew zucchini without an ounce of trouble with pollination. Not a bee in sight nowadays. I'm scared to plant pumpkins now too.
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11 Aug 16, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Now a days you have to hand pollinate zucchini, pumpkin, squashes, anything that has a large male flower just poke it into a female flower. Male flowers appear first and females on the side shoots, in pumpkins. I also do cucumbers and rockmelon (cantaloupe) with a paint brush, just brushing every flower if I don't see signs of anything happening.
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Showing 161 - 170 of 356 comments
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Leaves going white sounds like powdery mildew, probably due to all the wet. You could try a spray of dilute (1 to 9) skim milk and water (see RHNZ website: http://www.rnzih.org.nz/pages/powdery-mildew.htm), or a commercial spray.

- Chris

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