Zucchinis and squash – the vegies for beginners
If you’re starting off with vegies for the first time,
you’ll find growing the members of the pumpkin
family easy and rewarding. While pumpkins
themselves are slow to get to picking stage, the
related zucchinis and squash produce
satisfyingly fast results.
Varieties
Yates seed range has a selection of three
zucchinis and three different squashes, so
there’s plenty of choice. Zucchini Blackjack,
the traditional favourite with thin, dark green
skin, is best harvested when between 10 and
15 cm long. Watch that they don’t grow too big,
or they’ll end up tasteless and watery. With
zucchinis, bigger is definitely not better!
Greyzini zucchini is a similar shape to Blackjack
but has attractive, grey-green mottled skin.
Lebanese zucchini (pictured) has light grey-
green, stubby, teardrop-shaped fruit with a mild,
pleasant flavour.
Yellow Buttons squash is a new variety in the
Yates seed range. It’s very versatile and can
be used for baking, steaming, stirfries and
salads. The tender fruit can be eaten whole
and require minimal preparation before use –
just wash and trim the stem end – and the
colour enhances the appearance of any dish.
Green Buttons has a similar shape, or you can
try the lucky dip selection in the Yates Mixed
Squash.
Sowing
Zucchinis and squash grow best in a sunny,
well-drained position that’s been improved
beforehand by digging in some Yates Blood &
Bone and compost. Build the soil up into
mounds about 70cm apart, and water well.
Next day sow two seeds into the top of each
mound and, if both emerge, remove the weaker
(this doubles your chances of success).
Put a layer of mulch around the plants. Ideally
this should be something relatively dry like
straw or lucerne hay. These will hold moisture
in the soil and keep the fruit up off the wet
ground. Make sure the plants don’t dry out, but
always water at the base, keeping the leaves as
dry as possible.
Problems
It’s important that the leaves stay dry as all
members of this family are susceptible to
powdery mildew which, like most fungal
diseases, is kicked off in moist conditions.
Yates Nature’s Way Insect & Mite Killer
Natrasoap will control common sap-sucking
pests like aphids and whitefly without leaving
toxic residues. Dipel is a good solution for
caterpillar problems.
Zucchini and squash belong to the group of
plants that have separate male and female
flowers. Look for the female flowers – they’re
the ones with the mini fruit at the base – and
transfer across some pollen from male flower.
That will increase the chances of fruit set and
crop success.
Most important tip – pick fruit when young!
Comments (16)
Add a comment
kerry
Yates site member
14:57, 05 November 2009
will definitely give them a go
Deidre
Yates site member
14:58, 05 November 2009
Can anyone tell me why my zucchini only get to approx 6cm and then die when we are having no problem growing squash? We are in QLD.
Jenny
Yates site member
15:25, 05 November 2009
I have the same problem and we are in Qld. I also get powdery mildew.
dornell
Yates site member
16:54, 05 November 2009
I planted heritage seeds (in qld) but did not get the bountiful produce promised. I'll try again.
nia
Yates site member
17:27, 05 November 2009
I too am in Qld and have the same problem of the fruit rotting and falling off. Thought it was because of a humid wet summer. Grew them in winter and the same thing happened. Yet across from me in our Community garden others grew them successfully. Confused
Tammy
Yates site member
09:40, 06 November 2009
I too have had trouble growing my zucchini (QLD) - if they don't die when they are small, the fruit rot and fall off before getting to a decent size BUT lately I'm fighting the pumpkin beetles - does anyone have a natural remedy to get rid of them?
Sheila
Yates site member
12:33, 06 November 2009
I seem to get only male flowers which come to nothing. I live on the border Qu & NSW. Got any ideas anyone? These were bought from Bunnings so should have been OK.
Janine
Yates site member
23:00, 07 November 2009
I've successfully grown zucchini and squash but have had some 'rot and die' as some of you have described. The only thing I can put it down to is that its the unfertilised fruit that shrivel and die. Having several plants close together assists in pollination - I never did get the hang of the DIY stuff but we have lots of bees and good insects here to help with pollination. Keep trying, fresh zuch's are leaps and bounds better quality than that in the shops! Good luck!
steve
Yates site member
09:57, 08 November 2009
i find i have to hand pollinate with a cotton bud works a treat as to i also remove some leaves to let the max sun in cheers steve
Jan
Yates site member
20:14, 09 November 2009
I have the same problem. squash only grow very small although they are edible. Zuch, also did not do very well. both plants get powdery mildew. What am i doing wrong. Would love to have a real healthy garden??
RAQUEL
Yates site member
21:48, 13 November 2009
i tried zuchinni and had success! tasted great too
Yvonne
Yates site member
11:20, 24 November 2009
Thanks for the infor, I will certainly add mulch & lucerne straw to my Zuchinni see3dlings, to keep them growing & fruiting in the summer.
Tony
Yates site member
12:19, 29 November 2009
I have only tried to grow Zuchinni this year have had some nice ones but a lot seem to start OK then go yellow at the end and are no good need help
Karren
Yates site member
15:22, 02 December 2009
I also have problems with the young zucchini dying and falling off. Some web sites talk of blossom end rot, although cannot find info about this in oz, only US web sites. The guy at the garden centre had never heard of it. Apparently calcium can be added to the soil, he had never heard of that either. has anyone heard of blossom end rot?
sam
Yates site member
17:37, 22 January 2010
I planted my zuchini and squash seeds nearly 2 months ago. Plenty of buds ready to flower and my squash plant has just recently let out one yellowy/orange flower...i am hoping that the veggies themself will grow soon and I have had some leaves die so I remove them to help ensure the rest of the plants grow...any idea how long the veggies will grow after flowering i am in victoria
Judy
Yates site member
10:00, 24 January 2010
I left my Zuchini's for a few days and when I went to pick some this morning, three were enormous! About a foot long. Does anyone know if they will taste ok or should I compost them?
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