Growing Marrow

Cucurbitaceae : Cucurbitaceae / the gourd family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
                  S S  
T                     T

(Best months for growing Marrow in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings

October: After risk of frost

  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 20°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 90 - 120 cm apart
  • Harvest in 12-17 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Peas, Beans, Onions, Sweetcorn
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes
  • Young marrow

This is a large, well grown version of zucchini/courgette. Skin maybe light yellow or white. Grow on raised mounds of earth/compost. Mulch to retain moisture and reduce weed growth.

Powdery mildew can be a problem especially in humid weather.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Marrow

Good, cut in thick slices, seeds removed and stuffed with mince or spicy vegetable mix then baked in the oven.

Your comments and tips

09 Feb 10, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Mel, harvest will take about 12 - 16 weeks from seed sowing

Australian Marrow varieties, like Zuccini are all from the Pepo family of pumpkins. Female flowers will have a tiny immature fruit at the base, while male flowers will end at the stem. Its normal for the first flush of flowers to be male only. This attracts bees to the plant before it puts energy into female flowers. You can hand pollinate by plucking a male flower, stripping the petals and then brushing the pollen on the stamen across the female flower's stigma. Marrow varieties still sold in Australia are Australian White, Cowlard Greens, Long Green Bush, Long Green Bush II, Giant, & Melbourne Cream. Australian White & Melbourne Cream may date back to World War II at least. If the squash you are growing is Cucuzza, an old mediterranean variety of gourd, then you will need to seek advice from someone else. The good news is Cucuzza seed is not rare, it is available from Eden Seeds, The Seed Collection and several other online seed stores.

- Ken

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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