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
P             P P P P P

(Best months for growing Zucchini in South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical regions)

  • 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
  • a) seedlings
  • b) Six or seven weeks old
  • Zucchini flower

Plant into a slightly raised, well composted bed and mulch. Needs regular plentiful water. Produces large leaves with a spread of about 1.5 m x 1.5 m. Some varieties trail a bit but don't climb. The yellow (or gold) variety is more resistant to mould damage in humid areas and remains productive even when the leaves have mildew on them. The yellow varieties sometimes have yellow patches on their leaves but it is just colour not disease. If there are no bees around and the fruit are not setting well or die off after starting to grow, try picking a male flower (straight stem) and gently brushing pollen inside female flowers.

Blackjack is the most popular green variety. At the start, the plants produce mainly male flowers. The female ones start as the weather warms up and the plants grow. A spray with a 5 gm/teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda in 600 ml/pint of water will help slow powdery mildew when it appears.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Zucchini

Zucchini are best picked or cut off the stem at about 15 cm / 6 inches.
Pick frequently to keep the plant producing new flowers.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for South Africa | for all countries
11 Mar 21, Hettie (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
when do I start seedlings. I am new to gardening veggies but as a pensioner it keeps me busy. I am teaching my grandchildren both 8 years old to grow veggies. My 2 daughters are single parents.
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14 Mar 21, colleen (USA - Zone 10b climate)
If you mean when do you start zucchini seedlings, specifically, the chart says you should start them in September in your zone.
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12 Mar 21, Anonymous (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Work out your climate zone from the Blue Tab across the top of the page. Then go to the vegie you want to grow to find out when to plant the seeds. Use the monthly calendar for when to plant seeds or seedlings. With little seeds like cabbage it may be better to buy seedlings. Do some research on the internet about growing vegies -
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30 Jan 18, thabo mofokeng (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
My babymarrows are rotten from inside. Thee past two years I never experienced any problems. They do not show from the outside that they are rotten inside some have worms inside. Pls advise. Thabo
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07 Oct 14, Lamin Kabba Bajo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Which is the best way to plant Zucchini, direct seeding or through nursery? Thanks.
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28 Jul 14, Lamin Kabba Bajo (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
When is the best time to grow courgette in Gambia, West Africa?
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30 Jul 14, linda (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
we lived in ghana some years back, try to avoid rainy season as they can get moldy if humidity is high. otherwise most of the year.
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01 Oct 12, Jo Christmas (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
For the past ten weeks I have had dozens and dozens of female flowers but not a single male. This has never happened before in all the years I have grown them. Any reason that the plants are only producing female flowers and any suggestion as to what I can do?
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See comments for all plants

Try plastic milk bottles cut in half over the seedlings overnight. Also large pieces of orange peel, large enough for the snails to hide under, can help catch them.

- Darren

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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