Courgette Goldena

Cucurbita pepo - Goldena

Zucchini is an annual vegetable that belongs to the species Cucurbita pepo and originates from Central America. However, zucchini itself comes from Europe - it was bred in Italy. There is a wide variety of zucchini cultivars that differ not only in size, but also in shape, color, and flesh taste. It forms long, fleshy shoots similar to vines, on which yellow flowers bloom from June onwards. After flowering, elongated fruits form, which can bear various shades of green, yellow or white.

Zucchini is rich in minerals. The fruits contain vitamin B, C and potassium, which helps the body eliminate excess water and salt. They have a high water content of approximately 90% and also fiber. Zucchini is a low-calorie food suitable for weight-loss diets.

How to Grow Zucchini

• Plants require a sunny location. Regular watering, preferably with settled rainwater. Planting in black mulching non-woven fabric is suitable, as it helps warm the soil and prevents weed growth. If growing zucchini without mulching fabric, we mulch with organic material to maintain soil warmth beneath them.

• Plants can be pre-grown, but can also be sown directly in the bed.

  We sow seeds at the location after May 15th, when there is no longer a risk of ground frost. Soak seeds in lukewarm water for a day before sowing. We plant in rows, at a distance of 50 to 100 centimeters individually.

  We can pre-grow seeds on a windowsill, in a greenhouse or cold frame. Substrate designed for sowing is suitable. Pots must be at least 10 cm large, as plants require plenty of space. Plant 1 seed per pot. We plant outdoors only in the second half of May, and planting should be preceded by gradual hardening off.

• They require a warm, sheltered location and well-drained growing substrate well-supplied with nutrients. They can also be grown on compost.

• Organic fertilizers or plant extracts rich in potassium are most suitable for fertilization. During the growing season, once every 21 days, we enrich the growing substrate with organic fertilizer or plant extract rich in potassium.

• Zucchini are relatively resistant to diseases. During hot and dry weather, downy mildew may occur. Plants grow poorly and a grayish coating appears on the leaves. Prevention includes regular watering and maintaining slightly moist soil. If mildew occurs, affected leaves must be removed. Resistance to mildew is increased by fungicides. If white coatings appear on plants, they have been attacked by powdery mildew. It is advisable to use fungicides containing sulfur, which will reliably eliminate the fungal disease.

  Flowers and young fruits are often attacked by slugs. The most effective method is their collection and subsequent disposal. Aphids can spread viral mosaic among plants, which manifests as distorted and stunted growth, twisted leaves and yellow spots on leaves and fruits. Affected plants must be eliminated immediately. It is also necessary to eliminate aphids with special insecticides.

• We begin harvesting when the fruits reach a length of 7 or more centimeters (maximum 20 centimeters). We pick zucchini, separating them from the plant with a stem of several centimeters, which helps them stay fresh for a few more days.