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 21°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 50 - 90 cm 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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13 Feb 09, Mel (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have four zucchini plants that have grown big and strong with lots of full flowers but then the flowers die and drop off and no zucchini grows. Anyone have any ideas what i can do to help the flowers to germinate?
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12 Feb 09, Bill Errington (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Zucchinis rotting from the tip when small indicates lack of pollination. Transferring pollen from the male flower to the female flower ( the latter has the bulb of the vegetable below it) using a small soft artists paint brush will guarantee pollination and increase yields. There seem to be less bees around to carry out this important work.
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06 Oct 16, louise (Australia - arid climate)
great reply
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08 Feb 09, Lauren (Australia - temperate climate)
If I plant tomorrow, is it a bit late for zucchini? It will be the 10 Feb. Thanks.
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27 Jan 09, Chrystal Iker (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My yellow zucchini plant is growing gang busters, but the fruit gets to about 3inches then starts rotting on the flower end. I have grone them successfully before, don't know what to do?
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24 Jan 09, Ray Griffith (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I buy seeds for large marrows?
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12 Jan 09, Eddie (Australia - temperate climate)
Judy, the uneven shape is probably due to irregular watering. Try to water regularly and they should grow more evenly.
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06 Dec 08, Judy (Australia - temperate climate)
Some of my zucchini aren't growing out properly, they have a round ball on the end, not a nice long even shape. does anyone have any suggestions?
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20 Nov 08, Sam (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My zucchinis have been going great guns, until recently. the ends are going soft and then rotting. Can anyone help with what causes this and how I can fix it? Thanks.
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19 Nov 08, Georgia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Paul, the white spots are powdery mildew. You can treat it without spraying chemicals by mixing full cream milk and water together so that there is 2 parts water and 3 parts milk. There are antibacterial properties in milk that will kill the mildew. But you need to do it once a week and the milk mix must dry on. If it rains you need to spray with the milk mix again. Also make sure that you don't wet the leaves when you water the plant...
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