Today, there is a wide range of shapes, colors and patterns in zucchini varieties. A distinction is made between hardy, mostly old, varieties and hybrid varieties. To make it easier for you to choose the right varieties, we have put together a small overview for you here and give examples of round zucchinis, yellow zucchinis and old varieties.
Zucchinis are very easy to grow yourself in the garden. It is hardy and high-yielding, making it ideal for the hobby garden. The fruits of zucchini plants come in different shapes and colors. Apart from the classic green variety, they are available in white, green or yellow, striped varieties or uniform colors. The golden, elongated fruits of the 'Gold Rush' variety are particularly delicate and delight with their radiant color. There are now numerous varieties, so that round zucchini varieties such as the 'Round Zucchini Summer Squash' are also available. Depending on the variety, the fruits from just 1 - 2 plants are enough to cover the needs of an entire family.
In our library, you will find information on the individual courgette varieties with cultivation periods, planting and harvesting tips. You will also find companion plants to help you plan a mixed crop.
Discover Library NowClimbing zucchini plants are less well-known than bushy varieties. However, these varieties are ideal for vertical cultivation in pots or on the balcony. So if you have little space but still want to garden, then climbing zucchinis are just the thing for you.
You can find Tips on Growing Zucchinis Vertically in Pots in this article. Climbing zucchinis are a space-saving option for growing your own zucchinis on the balcony. Mixed cultures are possible even in small spaces, for which you can find inspiration and ideas in our digital bed plans.
New hybrid varieties (F1) cannot be propagated from their own seeds; they lose more of their original characteristics with each generation. However, you can obtain your own seeds from old, seed-resistant zucchini varieties. So if you want to obtain your own seeds from a particularly high-yielding variety, you should only Grow a Open-Pollinated Plants in your garden. The variety 'Cocozelle di Tripolis' is a seed-resistant zucchini variety that is very popular with many hobby gardeners.
Cucurbits like to cross-pollinate with each other, which means that the varieties mix. To prevent this, you can keep a sufficient distance from the next pumpkin plant or use an isolation tunnel. Otherwise, you risk taking seeds that produce inedible and even poisonous fruit. Therefore, avoid growing zucchinis and pumpkins at the same time, especially ornamental pumpkins in the same season. Otherwise, the variety may lose its specific characteristics when crossed. It can also lead to increased storage of the bitter substance cucurbitacin. This not only makes the fruit inedible, but also poisonous. The original zucchini varieties produced cucurbitacin as a natural protection against being eaten. In more recent varieties, the bitter substance has been bred out.
To do this, the seeds are scraped out of a properly ripened fruit together with the pulp and placed in a bowl of lukewarm water. After a few days, the mixture begins to ferment and the pulp dissolves. The seeds are then washed in a coarse sieve and laid out to dry. When drying, make absolutely sure that the seeds are completely dry, otherwise they will go moldy later. Seeds should generally never be dried in the sun, as this weakens their germination capacity.
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Cover picture by helena munoz on unsplash
Annabell is studying agricultural biology at the University of Hohenheim. She also enjoys gardening in her private life, spends a lot of time in nature and loves to be creative.
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Gherkins recipe Ingredients: 4.2 liters white wine vinegar 0.2 liter white wine 4.2 liters of water 70 g sugar 35 g fine salt 3 kg cucumbers 3 tablespoons coarse salt For flavoring (to taste): Bay leaves garlic cloves Pink peppercorns Chili (optional) Preparation: Sterilize the jars: Preheat the oven to 120 °C. Sterilize empty preserving jars in the oven for 15-20 minutes. In the meantime, boil the lids in a pan of water for 15-20 minutes. Leave the jars and lids to cool before use. Preparing the cucumbers: Wash the cucumbers thoroughly, dry and cut into slices about 5-6 mm thick. Drain the water: Place the cucumber slices in a sieve, sprinkle with the 3 tablespoons of coarse salt and leave to rest for about an hour, stirring occasionally. This helps to remove excess water and makes them firm to the bite. Then rinse the cucumbers well under running water to remove the excess salt and spread them out on a clean kitchen towel to dry. Preparation of the liquid: In a large saucepan, combine the vinegar, white wine, water, sugar and fine salt and bring to the boil. Blanch the cucumbers: As soon as the liquid boils, blanch the cucumber slices for 1-2 minutes. Do not cook for too long, they should remain crunchy. Pour into jars: Drain the cucumbers and layer them neatly in the sterilized jars. Add bay leaves, garlic cloves, pink peppercorns and chili peppers to taste. Fill and seal: Fill the jars completely with the hot liquid so that the cucumbers are covered. Close the jars tightly and immediately turn upside down to create a vacuum. Leave to cool completely in this position. Even if the sweet and sour cucumbers are ready to eat immediately, it is best to wait at least a few weeks before opening them. The resting time allows the flavors to develop and combine perfectly.this recipe is from Lidia La.era.nuova
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Show 3 answersIt is an attempt to combine a plan with reality. At least half of the garden
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Are there purple zucchini varieties?
There are indeed purple-colored zucchini. Varieties such as 'Bianco di Trieste' and 'Lunga Bianca' can have a purple coloration. However, purple zucchini varieties are rare and not that common.
What types of zucchini are there?
There are different shapes and colors: in addition to classic green zucchini, there are white, yellow and even purple varieties. There are also varieties with round fruits or climbing zucchinis that form tendrils.
Are old zucchini varieties seed-proof?
Seeds of old zucchini varieties are usually seed-resistant, i.e. you can take your own seeds and sow them again. Unfortunately, this is not possible with many new varieties, the so-called F1 hybrids.
Which zucchini varieties tendrils?
There are also climbing zucchini that you can tie up on trellises. Varieties such as 'Erken' or 'Tromboncino d'Albenga', for example, are suitable for vertical cultivation.