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zucchini

The zucchini plant, a member of the squash family, offers a wide variety of preparation options and is particularly popular among home gardeners due to its ease of cultivation. With proper care, you too can soon harvest bountiful zucchini in your garden!

 Frisch geerntete grüne Zucchini der Sorte 'Alberello', teilweise mit gelben Blüten, auf dunklem Holzhintergrund – ideale Sorte für Garten und Küche.
© Gartenzauber

Planting time – When is best?

Starting in mid-April, zucchini can be started on a windowsill or in a greenhouse. After the Ice Saints, the grown zucchini plants can be planted out in their intended location. Starting in mid-May – as soon as the soil has warmed up – you can also sow the plants outdoors; the plants develop quickly.

Growing zucchini – How does it work?

Either sow directly into the bed starting in May or grow the seedlings indoors. For this, two seeds should be placed in each pot with a diameter of at least 9 cm. The weaker plant is removed after a few days, and only the stronger one is planted in the bed in mid-May. Make sure the soil is warm when transplanting the zucchini seedlings. In the early stages, it's a good idea to protect the seedlings from snails with fleece.

Two to three plants are sufficient for a family's needs. Plant three seeds each at a distance of 1 to 2 meters. The distance from other crops in the bed should be approximately 50 cm.

Vorderansicht Saatguttuete Zucchini 'Alberello' aus der Gartenzauber-Saatgutserie

Zucchini 'Alberello' - Cucurbita pepo var. giromontiina

€3,90
Zucchini 'Alberello' is a non-trailing variety with an open habit and abundant, early fruit set. The delicate, light green marbled fruits grow cylindrically and slightly curved. Their white, fi...
discover here

Location – Where is best?

Deep, humus-rich, and nutrient-rich soils that retain moisture well are best. Zucchini also prefer ample space and a sunny, warm location.

Care – What needs to be done?

Zucchini are heavy feeders and benefit from two to three applications of compost during the growing season. They require sufficient water, especially during extreme summer heat. Therefore, please remember to water regularly, deep down to the roots, preferably with slightly warm water.

Harvest – What should you consider?

Zucchini are usually harvested three months after sowing. You can either separate the zucchini from the stem with a twisting motion or use a knife. The fruits should ideally not grow larger than 15 to 20 cm, as otherwise their delicate flavor will suffer considerably. If you harvest regularly, the plants will diligently produce new zucchini. Zucchini have both female and male flowers – those with stems are male. These never produce fruit, but they taste delicious. It's best to harvest them before the flowers open. Female zucchini, on the other hand, produce tiny zucchini flowers. 

Mixed culture – What are good neighbors?

Beans, peas, chard, corn, onions, petunias, and marigolds all thrive with zucchini. Avoid tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, or radishes as companion plants.

Vorderansicht Saatguttuete Zucchini ‘Sativa Auslese’ aus der Gartenzauber-Saatgutserie

Zucchini 'Sativa Auslese' - Cucurbita pepo var. giromontiina

€3,50
Zucchini 'Sativa Auslese' is a bushy, open-growing variety with abundant, early fruit set. The light-yellow fruits grow cylindrically, are slightly curved, and have a delicate skin. Their white...
Discover here!

Botany – What kind of plant is this?

Zucchini belongs to the squash family. However, many varieties do not trail like pumpkins, but form a large bush that can cover an area of ​​over one square meter. Unlike pumpkins, zucchini are harvested and eaten young and unripe. Zucchini are not only useful plants, but also ornamental. The fruits are available in yellow, light and dark green, as well as striped. The shape also varies depending on the variety, from oblong to round.

Cultural history – How did the zucchini come to us?

The name "zucchini" comes from Italian and means "small pumpkin." However, these large, crunchy fruits originate in North and Central America, where they have been cultivated for thousands of years as one of the various pumpkin varieties. Christopher Columbus brought the zucchini to Europe, where it was cultivated primarily in Southern Europe in various varieties. It was relatively late, not until the 1970s, that zucchini began to be cultivated in Germany. Due to its simplicity, it is very popular with hobby gardeners and thrives even in the temperate Central European climate. The main zucchini growing areas are China, India, and the Mediterranean.

© Gartenzauber

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