No vegetable garden is complete without a zucchini bush or two! When exposed to environmental stress, poor soil pH, or poor soil nutrition, zucchinis trigger the production of cucurbitacin, a natural phytonutrient that helps the plant overcome stress but consequently results in the unwanted bitter taste.

To avoid this, the poor nutrition and low pH of the soil must be corrected. This can be achieved by using a fully composted fertiliser such as Terra Firma’s Organic Life® or Lime Plus and watering them in well at soil preparation time.

The most effective way to get the best success from your vegetable garden is to use a thick mulch layer over the soil which will protect young plants, stop weeds and conserve moisture. Watering deeply once or twice a week is ideal to stimulate deep root growth in zucchinis and avoid moisture stress, especially during flowering and fruit formation.

To keep your zucchini plants vigorous harvest your first zucchini’s at about 20cm in length and start side dressing with fertiliser every 3-4 weeks, watering the pellets in well. Happy Gardening!