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

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.
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
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.
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)
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.
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.
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!
15 Dec 11, Sandra (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, my zucchini is growing very well and has lots of both flowers. the problem is that when the flower falls off the fruit, the fruit still being very small, if I don't pick the fruit straight away it rots, but they are so small they're not much good. My husband put wire around them so the foliage would not spread across the rest of the vegies in the garden, could that have something to do with it. There are no grubs or anything.
12 Dec 11, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Push a short length of thin uncoated copper wire through the stem when it is about 12 mm thick this helps greatly with mould and mildew.
04 Dec 11, greenie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, just making a comment on the troubles with growing zucchinis in sub tropical climates. We have had most of ours going rotten overnight, and is also infested with grubs. Our problem is due to a fruit fly which looks like a tiny wasp with yellow stripes. We have decided to net our plants, as we are organic growers and don't use sprays. Fingers crossed that this will be effective.
Showing 161 - 170 of 255 comments

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................

- Phil

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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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