Zucchini / squash

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Learn more about climate zones

Zucchini and squash vines can be trained to grow vertically to save space.

Likes: Compost enriched soil, full sun and protection from wind.

Dislikes: Wet weather and leaves being watered.

When to plant/sow in zone:

How to start: Sow seed direct into soil, or into small pots for planting out later. Sow two seeds per hole and then remove the weakest plant.

How to grow: Water regularly but avoid wetting foliage. Fertilise every 6–8 weeks. Remove old diseased foliage.

When to harvest: Check plants daily and harvest fruit when 15–20cm long. If fruit production is poor, try hand pollinating the flowers.

Pests and diseases: Powdery mildew

Suppliers: The Diggers Club Garden Express

Two yellow zucchini flowers: the male is attached to a long stem and the female has the small fruit behind.

What to plant

How to pollinate zucchini plants

The only tricky aspect of growing zucchini can be ensuring plants are pollinated and so produce the fruit that's a kitchen staple year round. These tips from Penny Woodward will help.

What to plant

Zucchini: one of the great vegie garden staples!

Zucchini have many benefits, including some idiosyncratic relatives that are also worth growing.

Vegetables

Pollinating pumpkins

Help your pumpkins along with these easy pollination tips from PENNY WOODWARD.

Recipes

Zucchini sauté

A simple but stunning zucchini sauté from Stephanie Alexander from Organic Gardener’s new Essential Guide Garden to Table.

Recipes

Cherry tomato clafoutis with zucchini and oregano

This is a play on cherry clafoutis and it is both easy to bake and light as you do not require a pastry crust or a dough — clafoutis is traditionally cooked in cocotte dishes. I use zucchini to give the dish more body and to complement the tomatoes.

Vegetables

How to train organic zucchini/courgettes

PHIL DUDMAN’s organic zucchinis have been framed, and he explains why.