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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16 Jul 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Good rich soil 900mm - poor soil 600mm.
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17 Jun 19, joe graham (Australia - temperate climate)
as with my egg plant my zucchinis are still producing most times 3 from each plant every 3 days'they are the blackjack variety. the seed was planted first week of December. whats happening is climate change causing this to happen. its middle of June temperate climate is it normal. thanks for any advice
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08 Feb 19, Alana (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, i have big healthy plants buth but the fruit are turning yellow and shrivelling. Ive harvested 6 out of around 20 ive had to throw away. Ived been trying hand pollinating but it seems to make very little difference. Are there any other issues that could be causing this?
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10 Feb 19, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read up about pollination - it could be some disease - I have no idea.
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15 Jan 19, Julie Sutherland (New Zealand - temperate climate)
We planted a yellow courgette and it is producing courgettes however they are white and not yellow - every other year we have had no problems....why might this be happening?
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18 Jan 19, Julie Sutherland (New Zealand - temperate climate)
We planted an actual plant from the nursery... never ever had an issue before nd the people at the nursery assured me they do not have white courgettes....we were wondering if it was a climate thing or maybe a soil issue of deficiency...
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25 Jan 19, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
If it is a hybrid it might be a throw back to a parent.
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16 Jan 19, Mike Logan (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Are they from the same packet as last year? Could be a mix up of seeds in the packet. I ordered boy choy last year and received Chinese cabbage.
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11 Jan 19, paul stanley wood (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
try natural spray a mix of onion garlic boil cool strain and spray that easy
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21 Dec 18, Quent (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Do courgettes need trimed like tomatoe plants?
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Showing 61 - 70 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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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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