Scientific name: Cucurbita pepo
Family: CUCURBITACEAE
Common names: “Summer squash” “field pumpkin” “zucchini”
Plant Type: Annual vine
Conditions:
Zone: 2-11
Light: Full sun
Exposure: Sheltered
Soil: Fertile heavily amended soil, cow manure, heavy feeders
Moisture: Moist well drained
Aesthetic:
Plant Size: H 1-2′ W 2-4′
Flower: Large yellow edible flower
Maintenance: Low, fertilize well, avoid overhead watering and splashing all the leaves
Landscape use: Veggie garden
Propagate: By seed easily, can be grown for harvest in as quickly as 50 days.
Pests & Disease: Powdery mildew and blossom end rot are common
Comments: Native to Mexico
Cultivars: Some summer squash varieties include: crookneck (var. torticollia), straightneck (var. recticollis), scallop (var. clypeata), vegetable marrow (var. fastigata), cocozzelle (var. inoga) and zucchini (var. cylindrica), but also contains several notable winter squashes including pumpkin (var. pepo) and acorn (var. turbinata)
Vancouver Island Grows 