Gem Squash

Choose a sunny, spot and improve the soil by digging in some well-rotted manure or compost.  Ideally allow 1 meter of space to avoid over competing and allow good airflow to prevent powdery mildew.  They can be planted as close as 60cm apart or be trained up a trellis. To ensure the best yield, feed them well throughout the season and get them off to a good start with a rich fertile soil.  Add a little complete organic fertiliser or potash and phosphorus.  Add seasol or nitrogen fertiliser to soil just for the first few weeks but not past flowering or you will end up with all leaves and less fruit. Sow indoors 4 weeks before the last frost. If planting in pots first to transplant it is essential that they have plenty of room to grow.  If cucurbits encounter any root stress as youngsters, they tend to mostly produce male flowers and therefore erratic fruit production.  Plant 2 seeds 1.5cm deep into well drained soil or seed starting mix and keep well-watered until germination in 5-10 days. Sow seed on its side to reduce damping off.  Heat mats are useful to get seeds started as they need 180C to germinate. Thin to the strongest seedlings that are not leggy (resulting from lack of light) Harden any seedlings off by letting them out in full sun for a few days before transplanting.  Make sure weather and soil is warm, about 15oc as cool weather can set them back for the whole season. Transplant or sow seeds directly 60cm – 1 meter apart into soil after last frost date and protect from any sneaky late frosts Add mulch to soil once seedlings are established to lock in moisture.  Cucurbits need plenty of water especially during flowering and fruit swell.  Rich soils may not need much extra fertilising but any sign of yellowing leaved and give them a good liquid feed at soil level.  During summer liquid fertiliser can burn plant leaves of hot days.  Speaking of warm days, you may notice the leave flopping like  elephant ears, this is somewhat normal and is just the plant protecting itself from the heat.  Any more than a droop and it needs a good deep water but otherwise don’t be too alarmed by the leave. Harvest zucchini almost every day when in full production.  Ideally at around 10-14cm for long zucs and 6-8cm for round ones.  If left to get too big they are best for chook treats.  If you realise, like many you have planted too many zucs and have them coming out of your ears you will struggle to give them away as in zucchini season everyone is in the same boat.  If this is the case, pick them when they are smaller, they will taste better, and you won't have to deal with the overabundance.  Top chefs use zucchini in its smallest form and even as flowers (Stuff them with your favourite cream cheese mix, then bake or batter and fry)