The time has come, the first zucchini are ripe. Between June and October, the zucchini plant bears fruit in abundance. Even after the first fruits have been eaten, the plant continues to bear fruit - until the first frost.
harvest time
The first fruits are already ripe after 6 - 8 weeks. You start harvesting when the fruit has reached a size of 15 - 20 cm, then the zucchini tastes best. You can also wait until the fruit is fully grown, but then you have to compromise on the taste. In addition, larger fruits become increasingly woody.
further increase yield
For a rich harvest, it is important that you harvest the ripe fruit quickly. Then the plant can develop new flowers and fruits again and again. The longer the fruit stays on the plant, the lower the yield.
What to do with all the fruit?
The fresh courgettes can be kept for about two weeks. Fruits that are not used immediately can be preserved by drying and pickling. Freezing is only recommended for varieties like Golden Rush F1.
tips and tricks
To harvest zucchini, all you need is a sharp knife to cut off the fruit. If you leave a 5 cm long stalk on the fruit, the shelf life of the zucchini increases by a few days.