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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
02 Jan 19, Mem (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Its a good idea to trim and leaves that are showing signs of powdery mildew (powdery white spots) or damaged leaves,other than that its not needed.
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24 Dec 18, Mike (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
They are a vine so let them spread out or up a trellis. Tomatoes are a tree and don't have to be trimmed.
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17 Dec 18, Laraine wright (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
If a courgettes grows into a marrow when is it ready to pick.
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18 Dec 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You pick it, the size you want. An example is - zucchini 3 to 8-9 inches . Marrow 12-18
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27 Nov 18, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Of my 4 zuchini plants brought as seedlings only one has green fruit the other 3 have an abundance of fruit but they are more a pale white colour, are they still okay to eat.
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27 Nov 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to website like Boondie seeds and look at the different varieties of zukies. You should be able to eat them. Probably they are a hybrid and they have thrown back to parent in the cross. Do you remember the name of them?
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06 Nov 18, [email protected] (Australia - tropical climate)
Do l need to plant 2 zucchini seedlings for them to produce fruit? Thanks Judi
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08 Nov 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The plant will have male and female flowers. If no bees in your area hand pollinate in the morning. Look up the internet how to do it.
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27 Oct 18, (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
When planting seeds, which end of the seed should be facing the surface?
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27 Oct 18, Cesare Stella (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I never bothered, I just lay them down
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Showing 71 - 80 of 356 comments
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Hi Trinity, I had the same thing happen to my zucc & pumpkin plants where I use to live (sub-tropical area) I found that it was Slater's (aka woodlouse, roly poly, pill bug) eating the stems which start the splitting. I have read that they don't eat living plants just decaying plant/fruit waste BUT that isn't true esp if you keep your garden & pots clear of dropped fruit/veg & old plant leaves etc because they will turn to living plants when there isn't much food source. I don't recommend leaving that sort of food for them. Best option is make traps from hollowed out orange halves or seedling punnets filled with potato peelings, to distract slaters. I used the orange method and it did help a lot & when an orange half is full with slaters I'd bin them because they were everywhere in large, plague like numbers. Also keep mulch away from the stems. Cheers Kim

- Kim

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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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