Cucurbita pepo
SPACE REQUIRED: At least 70cm x 70cm.
DISTANCE APART: 70cm
WHEN TO HARVEST: Start harvesting when zucchinis are about 20cm long and dark green from one end to the other. If they are left on the vine too long they might become a bit tough.
HOW MUCH WATER: Water every day unless it rains.
WHERE TO PLANT: Full sun
CAN I GROW THEM IN A POT? Yes, but it needs to be quite large such as a barrel or a tub! Fill it full of premium potting mix. Plant the seedlings and then water. Make sure there is room for the vine to spill over the sides.
CAN I GROW THEM IN A GARDEN BED? Yes. The garden bed must get at least 6 hours of sun every day. Mix some compost or animal manure into the soil, water lightly then plant the seedlings. Spread some mulch such as pea straw or lucerne hay over the soil and water the area well.
BEST BUDDY PLANTS: Zucchini has lots of best buddies. It gets on really well in the garden with lettuce, capsicum, chillies, silverbeet, spinach, tomato and parsley which all help to attract the bees to help pollinate the flowers. It is also best buddies with corn which likes to be planted in amongst its vines.
OTHER ‘SMARTY PLANT’ TIPS:
- When you get your seedlings home, let them sit in a shallow tray of water which has had a tablespoon of seaweed solution added for an hour or two. This will get them ready for transplanting.
- After planting, water the seedlings with a very soft hose or a watering can several times a day until they settle in.
- Don’t fertilise too early. Wait until the flowers start to appear and then sprinkle on a granular fertiliser especially for fruit and vegetables.
There’s more information at the Smarty Plants website.