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

02 Nov 08, Peit (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi I'm a newbie. I have been told that you need 2 zucchini plants to get fruit is this correct?
03 Nov 08, Grahame (Australia - temperate climate)
Peit, No that is not true - one zucchini plant will produce fruit.
06 Nov 08, Billie (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted zucchini's and they are flowering. However the flowers then die and drop off. There is no sign of any fruit. Is this normal? Thanks
10 Nov 08, Bridget (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
This year my zucchinis are growing only to the size of my little finger then dying off. Is the soil lacking something?
11 Nov 08, Billie (Australia - temperate climate)
Do I mix pollens from flowers on the same plant or different plants? Thanks Liz
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...
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.
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?
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.
24 Jan 09, Ray Griffith (Australia - temperate climate)
Where can I buy seeds for large marrows?
Showing 11 - 20 of 255 comments

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