Zucchini, Courgette, Summer Squash 'Bianco di Trieste'

Starting w/3 seedlings about 6" tall, potting them up from small cell pack. Will plant them in garden bed, full sun, when the soil warms ...Read Moreup, probably last part of April, beginning of May. Reports from others say to harvest the zukes when small, just after the flowers close; expect female flowers (short stem) 4 weeks after planting. Said to be and good for harvesting [male] flowers (which have a long, slender stem) to use for fritters, stuffing, etc. Bush habit is said to be 3' tall and wide. Haven't planted bush zukes before, thought we'd give 'em a try. Skin said to be pale green, flavor 'broccoli-like.' Will report on growth, flavor, etc. later in growing season.

To make sure pollination occurs, I always plant lots of plants to attract beneficials - sweet alyssum, parsley, marigolds, nasturtiums, zinnias. Zuke flowers reportedly open in the morning and close by mid-afternoon, thus the female flower needs to be fertilized during that window of time in order to produce fruit. I'm told there is enough pollen on one male flower to fertilize several female flowers.