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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
05 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read through the comments here for zucchini, there are many about this problem.
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22 Nov 17, Heather (Australia - temperate climate)
I have zucchini growing well but they are starting to go bad at the end where the flower is attached - this is when the flower has wilted but has not fallen off. Should I knock the flowers off when they have wilted?? many thanks for your advice
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23 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Try not to water around the flowers - water around the base of the plant. Your plants are probably not being pollinated by bees. Check to see if you have male and female flowers. You can pollinate by hand if no bees. Even some Epsom Salts around the plants may help. Read the other comments here.
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25 Nov 17, Heather (Australia - temperate climate)
thank you Mike, I appreciate the advice
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19 Nov 17, Phil (Australia - temperate climate)
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................
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20 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Potatoes are said to inhibit the growth of Zucchinis etc. Ever want to know - google google google lol
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09 Nov 17, Dale (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have planted 2 zucchini seeds close to each other and about 60 to 80 cm further on another 2 seeds close together.( as they say to plant 2 or 3 seeds in a clump and then keep only the healthiest one) Well , 2 came up so healthy ,right next to each other, and I don't want to pull out one and throw it away...can I re plant it or just leave it there (about 3 or 4 weeks old) The other 2 don't look as healthy,(not sure why that is .)
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10 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It might be a bit late to transplant now - you will really set it back by transplanting it. Next time don't plant them so close. When you transplant always try and have soil around the roots. Leave it there but keep the water up and maybe a touch of fert in a couple of weeks.
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08 Nov 17, Lizzy Miller (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi there my ? is can I cut the underside leaves from a productive plant, as the are becoming intrusive on my herb garden. Thank you. Cheers Lizzy.
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10 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yep cut them.
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Showing 61 - 70 of 255 comments
See comments for all plants

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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