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 S           S S S S S
T T T             T T T
P P               P P P

(Best months for growing Zucchini in Australia - sub-tropical 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

28 Apr 17, Shane hull (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
powdery mildew don't like alkaline environment. Milk is alkaline
29 Dec 16, Heather Price (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi My Zucchinni plans have a white covering over the leaf does this affect the plant.dio l need to treat it , if so what would l treat the leaf iwith
31 Dec 16, Yen (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi! I have the same thing in my garden I read about this treatment for white powdered mildew and it worked for me! Mix 1 teaspoon bicarbonate with 1 pint of water and water leaves that are affected. Hope it helps
03 Jan 17, John Mauger (Australia - temperate climate)
A 10% solution of milk and water also helps with powdery mildew. It is used organically, how it works, I don't know, but it does.
22 Dec 16, Melvyn Andrews (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
For the last three years I have failed in growing tomatoes. Despite spraying with recommended spray the worms/grubs get them. Last year I got one good one out of about 2 Kg. So this next year I am going to try Eggplant and Zucchini. Am I too late to plant now? What type of decease do they attract? If so,what can i do? Thanks from Sydney
23 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
The grubs attacking your tomatoes will be fruit fly. They attack any fruit, including citrus. you could completely cover your plants with flywire or tuille netting
24 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Eggplant are probably also susceptible to fruit fly so cover them as you would tomatoes. I've not heard of fruit fly on zucchinis and they are heavy yielders of versatile fruit so they may be a good option. Trust this helps.
29 Nov 16, Sukhdeep singh deol (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Ive got few acres of zucchinis at mildura area and as soon as the new fruit comes out it starts to turn yellow. Is it a lack of something or is it something else. Can you plz tell me what can i put on them.
29 Nov 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
It sounds like they havn't been pollinated (fertilised). This is a growing problem with the diminishing bee population. If the area was small you could hand pollinate them but this is hrdly practical on two acres. You could stop and ask any other farmers growing zucchinis, pumkins, etc. They may have some advice.
16 Nov 16, steven (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
if growing zucchinis you should not grow them with potatoes why
Showing 91 - 100 of 255 comments

I've noticed with pumpkin (and I asdyme zucchini) they basically have to be pollinated from another plant of the same species. Make sure you buy 2 or 3 plants. I tried several years just having 1 pumpkin plant and hand pollinating itself, with pollination always failing. Now I usually hand pollinate zucchini and pumpkin in mornings by taking the male flower from one and pollinating the female flowers on other plants and vice versa. It worked really well last season and seems to be working well this year with blackjack zucchs.

- Jason

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