Cucurbita pepo
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Common Name: Summer Squash. Vegetable Marrow

One of the oldest domesticated plants, marrow is known to have been cultivated in Mexico for several thousands of years. Often described in seed lists as either bush or trailing types, these plants mostly have large, lobed leaves that are rough and like sandpaper to touch. Marrows may be green, white or striped, and either cylindrical or round. Although they do not have a strong flavor, they are often eaten boiled, but they are tastier stuffed with a savory meat or vegetable mixture and baked.

Cultivation

These plants usually need plenty of space to spread. The soil must drain well and preferably contain plenty of organic matter. Sow seeds in spring once the soil has warmed. It is best to sow three seeds in one place, and to select the strongest plant and discard the others once growth is active. In frost-prone climates, sow under glass in mid-spring, one seed per pot, and plant out when frosts are over. All-purpose plant food can be applied once plants are in active growth. Give ample water during the growing season. All vegetables need to be grown quickly to produce their best. Once plants start to flower and bear, check them carefully each day and harvest the fruit at the preferred stage. In warm weather, fruits can develop very rapidly indeed.

Climate

Zone 10, but grown as a summer annual in all climates.