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 Jan 12, David (New Zealand - temperate climate)
No Zucchini flowers cause the rot as they absorb water. As soon as the zucchini starts to develop [3- 5cm] the flower needs to be plucked off to prevent rot. The same can be said for pumpkin, kumu kumu and butternut. Many more fruit will reach fruition especially with lots of manure to feed the soil nutrient sapping plants
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14 Jan 12, Wendy (Australia - temperate climate)
In previous years I had problems with my zucchini turning yellow and getting a kind of rot at the flower end. The fruit almost always fell off when still too small to be useable. A friend (local garden guru) suggested that it could be a calcium deficiency in the soil and to use dolomite in the soil before planting. Before planting this year I dug dolomite into the soil and I have had few problems. Hope this is helpful.
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30 Apr 12, janama (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes - I've found you must lime the soil before planting or else the flowers will rot the end of the zucchinis.
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07 Jan 12, margaretcoghlan (Australia - temperate climate)
It is january and very hot what plants can i prepare for planting or is it too hot and should i wait until weather gets a bit cooler towards March and what do I plant then and is it to hot to plant zucchini have had great success with pumpkins.
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05 Jan 12, Heather (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi. Does anybody know why my zuccs are pale green when the picture on the packet has dark green ones. Also mine are getting very fat at about 10 cm which I'm thinking will mean that they are going to be woody. Any ideas? Thx
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02 Jan 12, marlene (Australia - temperate climate)
my zucchini, newer, leaves have gone very limp hanging down from the stem,they have been well watered , wonder if it could be too much, l have grown these plants for years without this happening. They do have some potatoes close , also tomatoes carrots and beetroot.
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06 Jul 13, Stephen (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Marlene. I have exactly the same problem. New leaves are coming up and the plant is still flowering but the original leaves are all just hanging at the base of the plant. Nearby there is another very happy courgette and a cucumber. Did you find out what was going on? Stephen (far north west Scotland)
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15 Dec 11, vantruong (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I am about growing zucchini in the soil that used to grow potato before , I would like to know if it is any broplem and if there is any way to solve the broplem. I am very appriciate for your advice.
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06 Jan 13, (Australia - temperate climate)
Think it should be ok. I've read not to plant them together because zucchini's need more water than potatoes and if you water potatoes too much they rot.
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18 Dec 11, Sarah (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I've just planted zucchini where my potatoes used to be... I don't think it's a problem because they aren't from the same family so shouldn't have the same diseases, nutrient needs, etc. :) Hope that helps!
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Showing 231 - 240 of 356 comments
See comments for all plants

Hannah, it sounds like you didn't pick your zucchini early enough. Once the fruit are set I find that you need to pick them as soon as they reach an edible size. That's anything over about 5cm, depending how we're planning to use them.

- Chris

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