Some parts of the garden are growing double-time. In particular, the first three zucchini plants I planted. This photo was taken late last week. I had no idea the plants would get as large as they have, considering they're planted in planters, and not directly in the ground ... and they just keep getting larger! They are about waist high already, and just keep putting out more and more leaves. While they're growing all kinds of huge beautiful leaves, we're not getting as many zucchini as they're capable of. Partly, I think, because the huge canopy of leaves is hiding the blossoms, and the flowers are not getting pollinated. In fact, one of the plants has yet to provide any zucchini at all! So today, I decided to cut out some of the older leaves to allow a bit more light to get in, and let the bees see the flowers.
I was not expecting to find this! A monster of a zucchini, weighing in at just over 2.5 pounds. It was growing just behind that Echinacea plant, in the middle of the zucchini plant jungle. Apparently, this fella's flower got pollinated! But it's still not from the plant that hasn't produced any zucchini yet ... cross your fingers that my "thinning" of the plant does the trick.
Later, I'll share what I'm doing with this jumbo sized zucchini!
In the meantime, I'm going to go out and move the small zucchini starts (that are in the same type of planting container) a bit farther apart. I'll be more prepared for when they get to be JUMBO sized!
Heehee, we were away for a couple of days and I found SEVERAL of these hiding in my garden. A whole wheelbarrowful, in fact. Thanks for the zucchini bread recipe, I have been wanting to try a new one! Yum!
Posted by: LeAnne | July 06, 2010 at 05:52 PM
Wow, that's a big zucchini! We used to grow them but now our neighbors' trees are all so large we don't get enough sun. We can barely find room to grow our tomatoes which is a must at our house. Whenever we missed a zucchini and it got that big, we would split them in half, hollow them out, stuff it and then bake them - yummmm, or make zucchini bread:) When I buy them in the stores now, I look for the small thin zucchinis.
Posted by: Cindy H. | July 06, 2010 at 05:47 AM
It is amazing how fast zucchinni can grow. In a matter of days they can grow from small to huge. I haven't grown zucchinni in a really long time, but when I did the vine bore worms would kill the plant right at the time when harvest would begin. Always a couple zucchinni and then the plant would wilt and die. I just quit growing it. I was too disappointing.
Old Nebraska Dave
Posted by: David Bentz | July 06, 2010 at 05:27 AM
Wow, you look like you have some extra special miracle grow!!! Your plants look so healthy, makes me wish I had a food growing in my yard. Thanks for the photos.
Posted by: Rose Kerry | July 05, 2010 at 10:40 PM
Oh, that's a beauty! I hope you are making some bread with it! Yum...
It's hard to believe your zucchini weighs more than my premature baby did 23 years ago! He was just over 2 pounds...yikes! but he's doing well, and will have a birthday in August! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | July 05, 2010 at 05:38 PM
Once they get this big we either slice them length ways, season and grill or make zucchni bread. Chocolate being the favorite. YUM. Hugs...
Posted by: Carol Dee | July 05, 2010 at 02:45 PM
I have a ton of zucchini as well. I'm looking forward to "Sneak some zucchini on your neighbor's porch day". Several of my neighbors will find gifts of zucchini hanging from their doorknobs...
Posted by: Heather | July 05, 2010 at 02:40 PM
I use our oversized zucchini for zucchini bread - delicious! Grated zucchini freezes really well, too! Anxious to see what you do with yours!
Posted by: Sher Miller | July 05, 2010 at 02:30 PM
AWESOME!!
Posted by: Jennifer Woodward | July 05, 2010 at 02:15 PM