Zucchini

Cucurbita pepo

Black Beauty is a classic heirloom bush zucchini introduced in 1941 and prized for its reliability and heavy yields. It produces early crops of uniform, cylindrical fruit with glossy dark green skin and tender white flesh. Renowned for its fine eating quality and prolific production, regular harvesting encourages continuous fruiting throughout the season. Mature in approximately 50–63 days, this compact bush variety is ideal for home gardens and market growers alike.

Approximately 6–8 seeds per gram
Approximately 25 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March to September
Subtropics: August to March
Mild climates: September to January
Cold climates: October to December after frost

Planting / Sowing

Direct sow seed 20–25 mm deep into fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position once the danger of frost has passed. Alternatively, start in pots and transplant carefully while seedlings are young. Space plants 60–90 cm apart with 1–1.5 m between rows. Water regularly and feed throughout the growing season. Harvest fruit while young and tender, approximately 15–20 cm long, picking frequently to encourage a continuous crop.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucurbita pepo

Black Beauty is a classic heirloom bush zucchini introduced in 1941 and prized for its reliability and heavy yields. It produces early crops of uniform, cylindrical fruit with glossy dark green skin and tender white flesh. Renowned for its fine eating quality and prolific production, regular harvesting encourages continuous fruiting throughout the season. Mature in approximately 50–63 days, this compact bush variety is ideal for home gardens and market growers alike.

Approximately 6–8 seeds per gram
Approximately 25 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March to September
Subtropics: August to March
Mild climates: September to January
Cold climates: October to December after frost

Planting / Sowing

Direct sow seed 20–25 mm deep into fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position once the danger of frost has passed. Alternatively, start in pots and transplant carefully while seedlings are young. Space plants 60–90 cm apart with 1–1.5 m between rows. Water regularly and feed throughout the growing season. Harvest fruit while young and tender, approximately 15–20 cm long, picking frequently to encourage a continuous crop.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucurbita pepo

Cocozelle is a traditional Italian heirloom zucchini that has been grown in Australia since the 1920s. This prolific bush variety produces long, smooth, slightly ridged fruit up to 20 cm in length with dark green skin striped in lighter green. Renowned for its fine flavour and tender texture, it is excellent for grilling, roasting, stuffing or harvesting young for salads. Suitable for both home gardens and market growers, plants produce continuously when picked regularly. Harvest begins in approximately 53–63 days.

Approximately 6–8 seeds per gram
Approximately 13 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March to September
Subtropics: August to March
Mild climates: September to January
Cold climates: October to December after frost

Planting / Sowing

Direct sow seed 20–25 mm deep into fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position once the danger of frost has passed. Alternatively, start in pots and transplant carefully while seedlings are young. Space plants 60–90 cm apart with 1–1.5 m between rows. Water regularly and feed throughout the growing season. Harvest fruit while young and tender, around 15–20 cm long, and pick frequently to encourage continuous production.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucurbita pepo

Crookneck Early Yellow is a distinctive summer squash producing curved, narrow-necked fruits with buttery yellow skin that deepens to rich golden yellow as they mature. The flesh has a rich, slightly sweet flavour and is at its most tender when fruits are harvested young, ideally before they reach around 20 cm long.

Crookneck squash has a particularly long history in North America, with yellow crookneck types documented in American gardens by the early 1800s. Their characteristic curved neck and excellent eating quality made them an enduring part of the American summer vegetable garden.

Plants have a productive bush habit and begin cropping early, producing generously when fruits are picked regularly. Young squash are excellent sautéed, grilled, roasted or added to soups and stews, and the tender skin can be eaten without peeling.

Seed count: approximately 8–10 seeds per gram. Approximately 20 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–September
Subtropics: August–February
Mild climates: September–January
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 2–3 cm deep directly where plants are to grow once the soil has warmed, or start indoors approximately five weeks before transplanting. Handle seedlings carefully when transplanting to avoid disturbing the roots.

Space plants approximately 60–90 cm apart with 1–1.5 m between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH around 6.0–6.5. Maintain consistent moisture, particularly during flowering and fruit development, and harvest frequently while fruits are young and tender.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucurbita pepo

Golden Arch Crookneck is an early, high-yielding summer squash producing attractive butter-yellow fruit with a gently curved neck and almost no warts. Best harvested at around 15 cm long, the tender fruit have a mild flavour and smooth texture, making them excellent for grilling, roasting, frying or adding to soups and stews. The compact bush plants produce prolifically, with regular picking encouraging a longer harvest. Matures in approximately 42–50 days.

Approximately 8–12 seeds per gram
Approximately 20 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March to September
Subtropics: August to March
Mild climates: September to January
Cold climates: October to December after frost

Planting / Sowing

Direct sow seed 20–25 mm deep into fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position once the danger of frost has passed. Alternatively, start in pots and transplant carefully while seedlings are young. Space plants 60–90 cm apart with 1–1.5 m between rows. Water regularly and feed throughout the growing season. Harvest fruit at around 15 cm long while the skin is tender, picking frequently to encourage continued production.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucurbita pepo

Golden Arch Crookneck is an early, high-yielding summer squash producing attractive butter-yellow fruit with a gently curved neck and almost no warts. Best harvested at around 15 cm long, the tender fruit have a mild flavour and smooth texture, making them excellent for grilling, roasting, frying or adding to soups and stews. The compact bush plants produce prolifically, with regular picking encouraging a longer harvest. Matures in approximately 42–50 days.

Approximately 8–12 seeds per gram
Approximately 20 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March to September
Subtropics: August to March
Mild climates: September to January
Cold climates: October to December after frost

Planting / Sowing

Direct sow seed 20–25 mm deep into fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position once the danger of frost has passed. Alternatively, start in pots and transplant carefully while seedlings are young. Space plants 60–90 cm apart with 1–1.5 m between rows. Water regularly and feed throughout the growing season. Harvest fruit at around 15 cm long while the skin is tender, picking frequently to encourage continued production.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucurbita pepo

Golden is a productive bush zucchini producing bright golden-yellow fruits with a medium-long, cylindrical shape. The flesh is tender with a mild, pleasant flavour, and the vivid skin provides a colourful alternative to traditional dark green zucchini.

Harvest the fruits young for the finest texture and flavour. Golden zucchini is excellent grilled, roasted, sautéed or added to stir-fries, soups and fritters, and young fruits can also be sliced or grated raw into salads.

Plants have a compact, bushy habit and begin producing early, with regular harvesting encouraging continued fruit set. The bright fruits are easy to spot beneath the foliage, making them particularly convenient to harvest before they become oversized.

Seed count: approximately 8–10 seeds per gram. Approximately 20 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–September
Subtropics: August–February
Mild climates: September–January
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 2–3 cm deep directly where plants are to grow once the soil has warmed, or start indoors approximately five weeks before transplanting. Handle seedlings carefully when transplanting to avoid disturbing the roots.

Space plants approximately 60–90 cm apart with 1–1.5 m between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH around 6.0–6.5. Maintain consistent moisture, particularly during flowering and fruit development, and harvest frequently while fruits are young and tender.

Maturity: approximately 54 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucurbita pepo

Lebanese zucchini produces smooth, light green fruits with tender flesh and an excellent sweet, delicate flavour. The fruits are at their best harvested young, when the skin is thin and the flesh particularly succulent, although they retain good eating quality even when allowed to grow considerably larger, up to around 2 kg.

A favourite type in Middle Eastern cooking, Lebanese zucchini is excellent grilled, sautéed, roasted or added to stews and soups. The young fruits are also traditionally hollowed and stuffed with rice, herbs, meat or vegetables for dishes such as kousa mahshi.

Plants are hardy, productive and quick to crop, with regular harvesting encouraging continued fruit production. Their reliable growth and excellent flavour make Lebanese zucchini a useful all-purpose variety for the home garden.

Seed count: approximately 8–10 seeds per gram. Approximately 20 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–September
Subtropics: August–February
Mild climates: September–January
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 2–3 cm deep directly where plants are to grow once the soil has warmed, or start indoors approximately five weeks before transplanting. Handle seedlings carefully when transplanting to avoid disturbing the roots.

Space plants approximately 60–90 cm apart with 1–1.5 m between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH around 6.0–6.5. Maintain consistent moisture, particularly during flowering and fruit development, and harvest frequently while fruits are young and tender.

Maturity: approximately 50 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucurbita pepo

Romanesco is a traditional Italian heirloom zucchini prized for its exceptional flavour and attractive grey-green fruit speckled with pale green flecks. The prominently ribbed fruit are best harvested young when tender and are ideal for grilling, sautéing, baking and stuffing. Unlike most bush zucchinis, Romanesco produces vigorous, sprawling vines and an abundance of large edible male flowers, perfect for stuffing or frying. Harvest begins in approximately 52–60 days.

Approximately 6–8 seeds per gram
Approximately 12 seeds per packet

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March to September
Subtropics: August to March
Mild climates: September to January
Cold climates: October to December after frost

Planting / Sowing

Direct sow seed 20–25 mm deep into fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny position once the danger of frost has passed. Alternatively, start in pots and transplant carefully while seedlings are young. Allow extra space for the vigorous vines by planting 90–120 cm apart with 1.5–2 m between rows. Water regularly and feed throughout the growing season. Harvest fruit while young and tender, and pick frequently to encourage continuous production. Male flowers can also be harvested without reducing fruit yield.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucurbita pepo

Rondo De Nice is a traditional French zucchini producing small, round fruits with attractive medium green skin mottled with paler yellow-green markings. The flesh is tender with exceptional flavour, particularly when the fruits are harvested young.

Also known as Ronde de Nice, meaning “Round of Nice”, this old variety originates from the south of France. Its neat spherical shape makes it especially good for stuffing and baking whole, while young fruits are excellent grilled, sautéed, roasted or sliced into salads.

Plants are prolific and early bearing, beginning to produce in as little as 45 days. The delicate skin can bruise easily, so fruits are best handled gently and picked regularly while young and tender.

Seed count: approximately 8–10 seeds per gram. Approximately 20 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–September
Subtropics: August–February
Mild climates: September–January
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 2–3 cm deep directly where plants are to grow once the soil has warmed, or start indoors approximately five weeks before transplanting. Handle seedlings carefully when transplanting to avoid disturbing the roots.

Space plants approximately 60–90 cm apart with 1–1.5 m between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH around 6.0–6.5. Maintain consistent moisture, particularly during flowering and fruit development, and harvest frequently while fruits are young and tender.

Maturity: approximately 45 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucurbita moschata

Tromboncino is a traditional Italian zucchini producing exceptionally long, curved fruits with a slender neck and small seed cavity concentrated at the bulbous end. Harvested young, the pale green fruits have firm, tender flesh with a mild, slightly nutty flavour and can be used anywhere you would use zucchini.

Grown for generations in Italy, particularly in the north, Tromboncino is unusual in that it can serve as both a summer and winter squash. Young fruits are excellent grilled, sautéed, roasted or sliced into pasta dishes, while fruits left to mature develop a tan skin and denser flesh and can be stored and cooked much like a butternut squash.

Unlike the bush habit of most zucchini, Tromboncino grows as a vigorous climbing vine and benefits from a strong trellis or other substantial support. As a Cucurbita moschata, it performs particularly well in warm, humid conditions and generally shows good resilience to many of the pest and disease pressures that can trouble other zucchini.

Approximately 8 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–September
Subtropics: August–February
Mild climates: September–January
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 2–3 cm deep directly where plants are to grow once the soil has warmed, or start indoors approximately five weeks before transplanting. Handle seedlings carefully when transplanting to avoid disturbing the roots.

Space plants approximately 90–120 cm apart and provide a strong trellis, fence or other support for the vigorous vines to climb. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil and maintain consistent moisture, particularly during flowering and fruit development. Harvest young for zucchini-style use or allow fruits to mature fully on the vine for use as a storage squash.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.

Cucurbita pepo

Yellow Straightneck is an early summer squash producing slender, butter-yellow fruits with creamy yellow flesh. The fruits have a mild, sweet flavour and fine texture, and are best harvested young while the skin remains tender.

Straightneck squash developed from the older American crookneck types and became a popular home garden vegetable for its straighter shape, which made the fruits easier to prepare and handle. The bright yellow fruits are excellent sautéed, grilled, roasted or added to stir-fries, soups and stews.

Plants have a productive bush habit and begin cropping exceptionally early, with fruits ready in as little as 42 days. Pick regularly while young to encourage the plants to continue flowering and producing throughout the season.

Seed count: approximately 8–10 seeds per gram. Approximately 13 seeds per packet.

When to Plant (Australia)

Tropics: March–September
Subtropics: August–February
Mild climates: September–January
Cold climates: October–December, after frost risk has passed

Planting / Sowing

Sow approximately 2–3 cm deep directly where plants are to grow once the soil has warmed, or start indoors approximately five weeks before transplanting. Handle seedlings carefully when transplanting to avoid disturbing the roots.

Space plants approximately 60–90 cm apart with 1–1.5 m between rows. Grow in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH around 6.0–6.5. Maintain consistent moisture, particularly during flowering and fruit development, and harvest frequently while fruits are young and tender.

Maturity: approximately 42 days.

Due to quarantine restrictions, TAS has an 800g limit per each seed variety and WA has a 10,000 seeds limit per variety.