The best known and most popular of the summer squashes is without a doubt the zucchini. Known as zucchini in the United States and Italy they are know as courgettes in France. In the UK zucchini are normally referred to as vegetable marrow and are a long green oblong shape that resembles a cucumber.
An interesting bit of trivia about zucchini is that it is actually a fruit, and it grows on a female zucchini flower as its swollen ovary. It belongs to the family of cucumber and melon. Zucchini adds flavor and is easy to include in various recipes, whether in breads, side dishes, desserts or casseroles which is why it’s a popular choice for many chefs.
Zucchinis are actually pretty simple to grow, given the proper soil quality and the appropriate light conditions. Even beginner gardeners won’t find growing zucchini quite difficult. What’s more, zucchinis only take up a small space in your gardens, but will grow abundantly if harvested correctly.
There are quite a few varieties of zucchini to choose from. Most variants will thrive well between the months of May until late August, when there is abundant sunshine. You could go for the “globe” variety, which makes for a great meal presentation. You could also opt for the “golden zucchini” kind, which is very attractive-looking.
Other varieties of Zucchini seeds that you can purchase are the Sweet Gourmet, Gadzukes and Black Beauty. The Sweet Gourmet is a fruit that comes in light green color and produces larger quantities. If you have limited space in your garden then you would want to choose the Gadzukes. Lastly, the Black Beauty is a solid, dark colored zucchini fruit.
In planting zucchini seeds, the first step is to prepare the soil. Make sure that it is loose, rich with fertilizer and drained well with a pH level of around 6.0. Temperature should also be taken into consideration. If you live in a cold area with a lot of frost, it is advisable to start the seeds in a room where the temperature is at least sixty degrees Fahrenheit.
Zucchini seeds should be planted at least four inches apart and need to receive maximum sunlight. When they’re ten to twelve days old, they will begin to germinate. Keep in mind that they shouldn’t be transplanted until they are three inches tall.
Zucchini plants love warm soil so if you live in a cool climate cover your garden area with black plastic bags BEFORE you sow the seeds. In a few days the soil should have warmed up and trapped the warm air near the ground. You can also add some dark-colored mulch to help maintain the warmth similar to the way the black bags do.
Zucchinis mature in about 7-9 weeks. Small zucchinis are the most tender and delicious, so it’s a good idea to harvest them young.
The more you pick your young plants the more they will be inspired to grow and you will have a season-long harvest at your fingertips. After your initial harvest you can use your larger squashes for bread recipes or utilize them as decorative serving containers.
Susan Morgan authors how-to articles on home and vegetable gardening subjects. Be sure to view one of her favorite articles on growing zucchini.
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