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

18 May 08, Hannah - Samford (Unknown climate)
i am in senior highshool agricultre and we are currently growing zucchinis for a assignment along with other crops , but all the zucchinis we have grown grow to a huge size and taste watery and bland , any ideas why?
18 May 08, Chris (Unknown climate)
Hannah, it sounds like you didn't pick your zucchini early enough. Once the fruit are set I find that you need to pick them as soon as they reach an edible size. That's anything over about 5cm, depending how we're planning to use them.
22 May 08, Brodes (Unknown climate)
Hannah, I have grown huge zucchinis too and what I do is just cut the top off and hollow them out then you go down to your local chinese and get your favourite takeaway or even just some fried rice and stuff them. pop it in the oven wrapped in foil until the zucchini is cooked and you will never look back!!.
30 May 08, jenny powell (Unknown climate)
large zucchini i cut in half length wise scoop out some flesh and fill it with a bolognese sauce and cooked rise mixed into the sauce. fill the zucchini cover with foil and bake in the oven can also have some cheese melt over the top to finish if desired lovely dish
23 Jun 08, Leslie Reed (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
Great Stuffed Zuchinni Cut lengthwise, hollow out, par boil in hot water for 5 minutes for better taste. Meanwhile take insides and chop into bitesize pieces, saute with chopped onion, garlic, when almost done add in some chopped tomatoes. Can do many variations with Rice and even can add tomato sauce... whatever you like can be creative of just follow recipe. Mix with 1 lb sausage, hamburger or Turkey Burger precooked until done, drain off grease. Put in baking dish and Top with Parmesan Cheese and bake at 350 until cheese browns and Serve YUMMY!
10 Jul 08, Renee (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi i'm new to having a vegie patch and have been trying all year to grow zucchini, they all seem to end up being male plants (no fruit on the flower) and not very big.... other plants growing well inthe same bed are carrotts, tomatos, basil, rosemary, mint, nasturiams, lemon grass, chilli, lettuce, sweet potato and cucumber, any tips?? Can zucchini be grown in NQld
14 Jul 08, Maan (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in QL Cairns, I have been over here only 6 months ,I grow Tomatos, green piper and zucchini,but the big problem with zucchini ,that the leave turs yelow blosums drops down before making the zucchini, few zucchinis sooo small turns yelow and rot ??? what is happing?/
17 Sep 08, lisa (Australia - tropical climate)
I planted my Zucchini in July and they started fruiting about 3 weeks ago but they get to about 10cm and then the flower drops off and they dont get any bigger. they start rotting. What should i be doing. I only have the one plant, does it have something to do with germination??
17 Sep 08, gareth (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
marrows are a type of zuccini and dido but marrows taste better when larger that zuccini.Zuccini taste like cardboard after they have reached about 15cm
18 Sep 08, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Lisa, zucchini/courgettes behave like that when they are not fertilised. You could try using a soft paintbrush to do it by hand.
Showing 11 - 20 of 356 comments

In Australia, marrow most often means an overgrown zucchini but in other parts of the world "marrow" might be used for almost any member of the squash family.

- DC

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