Squash - Cocozelle Zucchini

Planting Instructions

Cocozelle squash prefers fertile well-drained soil and I get the best success when I direct sow them. However, if you live in an area where you need to seed indoors just try not to disturb the roots when you transplant into the ground after your last frost date and when the soil reaches between 65 and 85 degrees. Sow them approximately 1/2 - 1" depth and space them between 12 and 24" apart in full sun. Germination is generally between 5 - 10 days.

Care

Zucchini are a summer squash so these tips and techniques can be applied to any other summer squash like yellow, crookneck or patty pan. Zucchini fruit develops around 50 days after planting. Once the fruit forms, they grow very quickly - especially if it's hot out and they get plenty of water. Zucchini don't need a lot of soil amendments. Add 2-3 inches of mature compost on top of your planting site and you'll be rewarded with enough zucchini to fill a clown car.

History

Also known as 'Cocozella di Napoli', has not only become a garden staple, it was also a parent to enough newer named varieties that it is now a category of Cucurbita pepo.  It's believed to have originated in Italy, with records dating back to the Renaissance.  The name "Cocozelle" likely come from the Italian word for "gourd" or "pumpkin". French horticulturists also played a role in documenting Cocozelle, wit illustrations appearing as early as 1770.

In searching the archive, it appears that W. Atlee Burpee gets the credit for introducing 'Cocozelle' summer squash to North American gardeners in 1890. Within merely two to three years, nearly every seed catalogue began carrying it.

That Darned Leaf Footed Squash Bug! 

Cute as it may seem with those little leaf-looking feet we say "cute is as cute does" and this is one ugly bug.

Leaf footed bugs do, however,  have an interesting role in the ecosystem. They're plant feeders so not only do they eat the plants we have in our gardens, sometimes they make plants susceptible to diseases because when they eat plants they make them weaker because of the damage. In the wild they eat a variety of plants thus helping to control the plant population.

The most important role a leaf footed bug plays in the ecosystem is as a contributing source to the food chain as a source of protein for birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and fish! Other animals think they're a pretty tasty treat!

What would you do if your feet looked like leaves?