Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) is a delicious summer squash similar in shape to a cucumber, although there are also cultivars that present a pear-shaped or round orb. Zucchini is found in colors of pale yellow, light green, deep green and variegated green. Zucchini is a drought- and disease-free, easy-to-grow, prolific producer that is prized for home or commercial farming.

Edible Flowers

Most of us think of Zucchini as a vegetable used in salad and stir-fry. However, zucchini is actually an immature fruit. Zucchini is eaten both raw and cooked. Adding a few zucchini plants to the home garden will provide a bountiful harvest. Zucchini, also known as Italian marrow or vegetable marrow, are covered with brilliant yellow blooms in early summer. The tasty, crisp blooms are used as an attractive garnish in food presentation or sauteed to add to culinary dishes. A flavorful soup is made from the blossoms and they are use to add color and texture to salads. The blooms are often stuffed with fillings, which are dipped in a batter and deep friend, baked or grilled.

Raising Organic Zucchini

Test your soil. Take a sample of the soil from your farm plot to your local county extension office to test for soil quality and nutrient content. Zucchini will grow best in a light, sandy loam soil with a pH range of 6-7.5. Use only organic materials in your garden or farming plot. No noxious herbicides, poisonous pesticides or commercial fertilizer. Zucchini prefers loamy, nutrient-rich soil with good drainage and lots of sunshine. Zucchini requires 6 to 7 hours of sunlight daily for optimum size and flavor. Til the soil and amend with aged organic compost or aged manure. Zucchini squash are susceptible to frost damage. Do not plant until all danger of frost has passed. Seeds will not germinate in cold soil. (Plant seeds directly in the soil. Plants started indoors generally do not develop well and have few blooms.) Plant zucchini seeds 4 to 5 inches apart in mounded rows or hills. Plant about an inch deep in the soil and water lightly. Water lightly every third day until the seeds germinate. Each seed will produce a vigorous, busy plant. Plant a few marigolds with your zucchini to discourage garden insects. Crushed egg shells sprinkled around the plant will also help with pest control. Stagger your planting times to assure an abundant harvest all season long. Classic (medium green and compact), Aristocrat (waxy, medium-green), Chefini (glossy, medium dark green), Embassy (medium green, high-yield), Golden Zucchini (deep-yellow color and superior flavor) are some of the favorite varieties of gardeners everywhere. If you are planting zucchini in your garden or farm plot for sale, try several varieties to offer to your customers.

Harvesting Your Crop

Harvest zucchini when it is young, tender and firm. Zucchini can grow to gigantic sizes, but the young, small squash are best for salads and dishes eaten raw. Zucchini squash have a soft edible skin with a rather short storage life. Use immediately or store for a few days in the refrigerator. Pick before the seeds have matured. Not only is zucchini a heavy producing crop, it readily cross-breeds with other varieties of squash in the garden; especially pumpkin. If you save seeds and plant the following spring, you will be surprise and delighted with the many variations your seeds can produce.

Source:

University of Illinois-Watch Your Garden Grow

University of Minnesota Extension-Growing Zucchini and Summer Squash in Minnesota Home Gardens

Resource:

Master Gardener Newspaper Articles-Growing Zucchini: Not Always Easy To Get Fruit