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Goldfields gardens: courgette ideal starter for newbie gardener or small space

Lilian WaltersKalgoorlie Miner
Zucchini flower.
Camera IconZucchini flower. Credit: Countryman

Zucchini, or courgette (Cucurbita pepo), which is closely related to cucumber, pumpkin, and watermelon, was taken back to Europe from the Americas by the Spanish conquistadors.

They are ideal starter plants for new gardeners.

Zucchinis thrive in the heat and produce abundantly in relatively small spaces.

Zucchini are available in many colours and shapes — yellow, all shades of green, striped, elongated, curved or almost round.

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Grow zucchini in full sun (six hours minimum). They prefer afternoon shade. They are very sensitive to cold.

Wind catches the big leaves and causes damage to the soft stems. In exposed locations a trellis offers support.

Greenfingers December 9 column/episode 11 - Zucchini
Camera IconGreenfingers December 9 column/episode 11 - Zucchini Credit: Supplied

Zucchinis love rich, moist soil. Dig in plenty of aged manure and well-rotted compost. Soil with a high organic content holds more moisture.

Water regularly. Infrequent watering stresses the plants. Good drainage is important to prevent fungal infections.

Try not to water the leaves. If you must, do so early in the morning. Irrigate two to three times a week. The big leaves transpire heavily and wilt on hot days but recover quickly if the roots are well watered.

Plant three to four seeds 20mm deep in a small mound. After they sprout, cull the weakest. Water in well and don’t water again until the seeds germinate in one to two weeks.

What to plant this weekend

  • Beetroot
  • Butternut squash
  • Capsicum
  • Celery
  • Cucumber
  • Eggplant
  • Pumpkin
  • Radish
  • Rhubarb
  • Spring onions
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Tomatoes
  • Watermelons

They are prone to rotting. Because zucchini plants are big and sprawling, leave 50cm to 60 cm between them. Add blood and bone to develop strong root systems. Zucchinis have relatively shallow roots.

Zucchini have separate male and female flowers. Young plants produce mainly male flowers.

The male flowers grow on a long stalk and are slightly smaller than the female. In the female flower is a rounded stigma. The male has a long pollen-covered stamen.

If fruit shrinks and rots while small, they’re probably not properly pollinated. Plant flowering plants to attract bees and don’t use insecticides.

Herbs to plant this weekend

  • Basil
  • Oregano
  • Rosemary
  • Thyme

Try hand pollination. Use a small paint brush to brush the stamen and transfer pollen to the stigma. Alternatively, pluck and strip the petals from male flowers and tickle the stamens into semi-closed female flowers early in the morning.

Remove all diseased, damaged or yellowing leaves. The plant then directs all energy into new growth and fruit.

Sidedress every four weeks with compost tea, seaweed drench or chicken poo. Mulch with 5cm of organic pea straw or lucerne to keep the soil moist and the weeds out.

It is best to grow only one variety at a time to prevent cross-pollination.

Tip of the week

  • Zucchini flowers are edible and can be used in salads as garnish, dipped in a tempura batter, or stuffed with cheese, bacon, mushrooms or tomato and baked. A good way to dispose of excess male flowers.

Fruit appears five to eight weeks after planting. Picking encourages continuous cropping.

Harvest at 12-20cm long with secateurs to avoid damage. Leave a length of stem on the fruit to minimise rot post-harvest.

Zucchinis left too long become spongy and tasteless. They can be steamed, pan-fried, barbecued or grilled.

Snails and slugs love zucchini seedlings, especially on mornings after rain. Few pests attack zucchini but they are susceptible to fungal diseases.

To slow the spread of powdery mildew, spray with 5gm of sodium bicarbonate in 600ml of water. Or spray with a mix of one part milk to nine parts water every few days. Skim milk has the least smell. Re-spray after rain. Blossom end rot is caused by calcium deficiency.

Zucchinis are compatible with corn, beans, nasturtiums, parsley, silverbeet and tomatoes. Avoid growing close to potatoes.

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