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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08 Jun 11, teri Leichenger (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I have beautiful zucchini plants with huge leaves, but very tiny, not flowering buds...Is there a vitamin deficiency going on? What to do?
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22 Jul 11, Patrick (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
These tiny ones seems are male, am not an expert, just guess related to tempure
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02 Apr 11, brian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
try applying calcium nitrate to correct calcium deficency.
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09 Feb 11, Chander (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I have got one Zucchini plant where I am getting lots of male flower but not female flowers. I had some female flowers before and had couple of fruits from this plant. But now its producing only male flowers. Also too many leaves have come up in the plant and noe of the leaves are growing bigger, all the leaves are cramped in a short area. Do anyone know the reason for this? do i need to cut the leaves a little bit to allow growth for leaves? I have one more plant and thats doing well, regularly giving fruit.
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17 Feb 11, Emily (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
HI there, Im having the same problem too! The zuccini plant keeps flowering but the buds are all male and then they seem to fall off and start to grow more flowers, but nothing is happening! does anyone know why this is the case? is anyone else having trouble? thanks EMily
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08 Feb 11, (Australia - temperate climate)
where do you get the seeds from a zucchini plant so you can replant them and grow more the next season
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09 Feb 11, (Australia - arid climate)
Inside the plant there are the seeds
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29 Jan 11, mick (Australia - temperate climate)
i have never seen a better herb for attracting bees as a Borage plant and you can eat the flowers too.
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22 Jan 11, Ash (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, my zucchini is a really light green colour - not anything like those you buy in the supermarket? Is this normal? Should we pick it and eat it
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22 Jan 11, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Ash, Zucchini come in various shades from yellow to almost black/green. Your light green ones are quite alright to eat. If they have small raised 'ribs' along the length of them, they are particularly good.
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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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