Yellow Crookneck - Zucchini

This variety offers an abundance of lemon-yellow, bottle-shaped, slightly angled fruits. When they reach 10 cm in length, they reveal a sweet flavor. When ripe, their skin is very hard and warty. They are then used as ornaments like coloquintes. The fruit keeps for a long time and can be dried.

WHAT ARE THE

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE YELLOW CROOKNECK ZUCCHINI?

The "Yellow Crookneck" zucchini, Cucurbita pepo, has a bushy habit and produces bottle-shaped, yellow fruits 20-30 cm long. The flowers can be eaten as a salad or fritter.

HOW TO GROW CROOKNECK YELLOW ZUCCHINI SEEDLINGS?

There are two ways to sow "Yellow with Crookneck" zucchini seeds:

• You can sow "Jaune à Col Crookneck" zucchini seeds in pots between March and April, placing 2 to 3 seeds per pot. Transplanting should be done 2 to 3 weeks after sowing in pots. Fibrous roots, caused by sowing zucchini seeds too early, can make it difficult for the plants to develop in the garden. So it's important to pay attention to the time of sowing. Seeds should be kept at a temperature of between 18 and 20°C until they emerge. Keep the substrate moist to help the seeds germinate.
• Sowing of "Jaune à Col Crookneck" zucchini in the open ground takes place from April to June, in a sunny spot and after the last frosts. Prepare holes two weeks in advance, filled with compost or organic matter and spaced 1 m apart in all directions, to receive the plants or seeds.

HOW TO GROW YELLOW CROOKNECK ZUCCHINIS?

Transplant the zucchini plants in a sunny spot in mid-May, spacing them about 1 m apart in all directions. Be sure to water them well. It's a good idea to add compost. Hoe and weed regularly. Install mulch at the base of the plant to preserve soil moisture. Water close to the base in summer, without wetting the leaves.

Companion plants can be sown to improve zucchini production by promoting flower development and repelling pests. Include plants such as basil and cosmos.

WHEN TO HARVEST YELLOW CROOKNECK ZUCCHINIS?

Crookneck yellow zucchini are harvested from May to October. It's best to pick them while they're still young and tender. Cut them close to the stem to avoid damaging them by pulling them off. Zucchini flowers can also be eaten.

HOW TO STORE YELLOW CROOKNECK ZUCCHINIS?

Using the freezing method, zucchini can be stored for up to a year. Cook the zucchinis, place in sealed bags or boxes and place in the freezer. Lacto-fermentation is also a quality preservation option.

WHY DOESN'T MY ZUCCHINI PLANT PRODUCE FLOWERS OR FRUIT?

When a zucchini plant doesn't produce flowers or fruit, there may be several reasons.

High temperatures can hinder zucchini growth and development. A lack of fruit can also be caused by poor pollination. It's important to have several zucchini plants together and to attract pollinating insects for good flower fertilization.

HOW TO GROW CROOKNECK YELLOW ZUCCHINI SEEDS?

Here are the steps for making zucchini seeds:

1. Choose the most beautiful zucchini plant: the one with early fruit, the one with the most fruit, etc.

2. Let the best zucchini from this plant mature on the ground. They will grow and their skin will thicken.

3. Wash the seeds to remove all pulp.

4. Let the seeds air-dry on absorbent paper or a plate for about a week.

5. Store the dried seeds in a paper bag or airtight container away from light and moisture.

6. The seeds are now ready to be used for sowing next year. But they can be stored for several years without any problem.

We've put together a Youtube video on zucchini seed extraction.

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