Saturday, February 16, 2013

Growing Zucchini

The other day I was thinking...Wouldn't it be nice to hear from someone else for a change?  I'd love to see what you are up to in the garden and what works for your area.  I met Joyce through a giveaway I sponsored with Mary's Heirloom Seeds and I am thrilled to introduce you. 
I'm currently stalking her at It's Your Life!

Let's give a warm welcome to Joyce!
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This is the first time I am growing zucchini from a seed, and as it started to sprout, it reminded me of Audrey 2 from the movie “Little Shop of Horrors,” so now that is her name. Like Audrey 2 I thought I was going to lose my first zucchini plant. I noticed the roots were growing up out of the soil, and had to adjust her two different times before she started sprouting.

Audrey 2 has grown so fast in just under a month, and while she is ready to be transplanted into the garden there is not one. We have had so muchhhhh rain here on the North Shore of Louisiana the ground is to wet to do anything. Once again fearing for my first zucchini plant I knew I had to do something.  I had a bigger home for her, and therefore moved her until her final home is ready.

Because the weather here is still cool, not cold just cool, I had to be careful that I did not bring trauma to Audrey2. I cleaned out the planter, filled it with soil, and brought into the house until it was the same temperature as the soil she was in. The roots were already poking through the starter planter, so I cut off what I could without harming the roots, and transplanted her to her new home. 

You can buy a soil thermometer at a local store carrying gardening items, because it does not get real cold here we were unable to purchase one. We just went by touch, and the transplant was a success.

I will incorporate Audrey 2 into our garden in place of squash in the Three Sister’s Garden method. It was after reading Mary’s blog on this topic that I really became interested (obsessed) with companion planting.

Corn will benefit from the zucchini’s prickly leaves which will help to deter raccoons, and other animals seeking to snack on your corn. I will also be planting some borage with my zucchini which not only attracts bees, but the leaves can be used as mulch around the zucchini for calcium. Some potted peppermint will help to keep away aphids, I will use a shepherd’s hook to hang the peppermint, dill also repeals aphids, along with squash bugs, and whiteflies.

Planting marigold throughout the garden will not only attract bees, but also ward off a variety of pests. Nasturtiums also benefit the garden as marigold, but the flowers are edible and said to have a sharp radish type taste.

For the most part you can plant any other plants with zucchini except potatoes which inhibits its growth.
Here are some links to some of my favorite zucchini recipes:
Zucchini Pizza Crust
Zucchini Cakes
Zucchini Pizza Bites
Zucchini Bake with Feta and Thyme 
Zucchini Tots *I would use 1/2 cup of bread crumbs as I found them too mushy using 1/4 cup
Baked Zucchini Fries

Note that I have purchased the majority of my seeds from Mary’s Heirloom Seeds. I love the fact that all her seeds are GMO free, this is my personal opinion I am not receiving anything for stating this.

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Interested in being a Guest?
Send me an email to mari_backtonature@yahoo.com
Happy Planting!
Linking up HERE and Wildcrafting Wednesday.

15 comments:

Cindy@NorthofWiarton said...

We love Zucchini at our house; one of my favorite in the garden. Here is an awesome recipe I made a couple of times last Summer http://justnorthofwiarton.blogspot.ca/2012/08/down-quart-or-two.html

Unfortunately will all the Snow we will have at least 3 more months until we even thinking about getting into our garden here.

Savard Studios said...

I have given up on squash and zucchini. It always gets those worms that bore into the stem and kills the plant. Any good organic ways you know of to get rid of them?
We also have a perennial plant that we refer to as our little shop of horrors plant. Very invasive "weed". Not sure what it's called but by fall it's 8 feet tall with gorgeous yellow daisy like blooms.
Sandy
www.savardstudios.blogspot.com

Lisa Lynn said...

I am so looking forward to growing more zucchinis! Thanks so much for sharing this on The Creative HomeAcre Hop!!!

I Gotta Try That said...

Great guest post. So glad that you took the time to share this on my linky party!
Hugs,
Marcie @ I Gotta Try That

Ladies Holiday said...

I can't believe it is almost March---seedling time! Yay :)

WhatJeanLikes said...

Zucchini is so healthy and delicious and you can juice it too which I really love because it's so versatile. I love sauteeing them too. I bet you're excited for the spring. We don't have winter here in Hawaii but it's super windy so the crops are enduring a lot of wind damage. Love gardening though!

Thank you for your lovely comment.

aloha,

jean

Becca said...

My family always grows zuchinni. Didn't know that potatoes hinder its growth!
Thanks for sharing at A Humble Bumble. I appreciate you linking up each week. :)

Countrified Hicks said...

Thank you so much for linking up with us!
http://www.countrifiedhicks.com
http://www.facebook.com/countrifiedhicks

Unknown said...

Visiting from Wildcrafting Wednesday.

Zucchini is one of my favorite plants to grow! As long as the aphids stay away, it is so rewarding. I just planted about 10 different varieties of zucchini and other summer squashes. Can't wait!

Marti said...

That reminds me that I want to grow zucchini this year. I've never tried to start it indoors though, I usually just wait until the soil is warm enough outside. But I do have some herbs growing inside, just waiting for the last frost so I can plant.

Unknown said...

I was too late last year to plant zucchini...hope to have some time in the next few weeks! Thanks for the reminder! :o)

Unknown said...

What a wonderful and informational article. I am going to grow zucchini this year, I can't get enough of it!

Forgive me for being so late in thanking you for linking up to the In and Out of the Kitchen party! I just got back from vacation and am trying to play catch up!

See you next week at the In and Out of the Kitchen party!

Cynthia at http://FeedingBig.com

Mind Body and Sole said...

I know it usually over-takes the garden, but I really love my zucchini! :) Thank you for sharing your post on Wildcrafting Wednesday! :)

Unknown said...

I'm SO thrilled to have found your site on the blog hop! I'm really new to gardening but I have a huge interest in it, and I really enjoy your posts. Looking forward to reading more!

Earning-My-Cape said...

Mmm!I love zucchini! It's incredible how big the home grown ones get, too!
Thanks for linking to my Super Link Party! I am featuring you at Wednesday's party. I hope you will check it out! :-)
If you send me the html for your button, I will display it under Featured Guests on my sidebar for the week. :-)