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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31 Oct 14, michele (Australia - temperate climate)
how do i know when to pick my zucchini they seem very small
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25 Oct 14, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Michelle, The female flowers have a tiny zucchini shape behind them and the male flowers have a straight stem.
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24 Oct 14, Michelle L (Australia - tropical climate)
I haven't seen a lot or any bees to pollinate the zucchini flowers, as advised by D. Afford, how do we find recognise which is the make and female flowers to hand pollinate? This also happened to my strawberries, again, lack of bees.
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08 Oct 14, Maegan (Australia - temperate climate)
We plant direct seed and within weeks they are pushing through the soil. I planted my zucchini seeds three weeks ago and have already thinned them out with the remaining plants strong and vigorous
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13 Oct 14, Mick (Australia - temperate climate)
How do I thin them?
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08 Oct 14, LEN moore (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can I trim of excess leaves on my zuccini to help fruiting
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19 Jul 14, van nguyen (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I start to do seeding at the end of July?
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26 Feb 14, Rafael basa (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it still Okey to plant zucchini on first week of March?
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23 Feb 14, Zaman (Australia - temperate climate)
I am growing zucchini my plant looks good, but lot of small fruit becoming yellow and die before opening the flower. please let me know the problem. thanks zaman
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08 Mar 15, rastus (Australia - temperate climate)
If you want success in growing your zucchinis they will be need a lot of water. Water 2-3 times daily to ensure best results, soak the plant for 10-15 minutes each feeding session and you will be growing zucchinis like rabbits breed.
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Hi Trinity, I had the same thing happen to my zucc & pumpkin plants where I use to live (sub-tropical area) I found that it was Slater's (aka woodlouse, roly poly, pill bug) eating the stems which start the splitting. I have read that they don't eat living plants just decaying plant/fruit waste BUT that isn't true esp if you keep your garden & pots clear of dropped fruit/veg & old plant leaves etc because they will turn to living plants when there isn't much food source. I don't recommend leaving that sort of food for them. Best option is make traps from hollowed out orange halves or seedling punnets filled with potato peelings, to distract slaters. I used the orange method and it did help a lot & when an orange half is full with slaters I'd bin them because they were everywhere in large, plague like numbers. Also keep mulch away from the stems. Cheers Kim

- Kim

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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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