{"product_id":"zucchini-black-jack","title":"ZUCCHINI-BLACK JACK","description":"\u003ch2\u003eHow to grow Zucchini-Black Jack\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003col\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eChoose a sunny position with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight each day.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePrepare rich, well-drained soil by mixing compost or well-rotted manure into the soil before planting. Zucchini grows best in fertile soil that drains well but still holds some moisture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSow after frost has passed directly into the garden once the soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed. In cooler areas, seeds can be started in pots and transplanted carefully when conditions are warm.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePlant seeds at the right depth of about \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e2 - 3 cm deep\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, then cover lightly with soil and water gently.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAllow enough space \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e80 - 100 cm apart\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, as Zucchini Black Jack forms a bushy plant with large leaves and needs good airflow.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eKeep soil evenly moist by watering  regularly, especially during flowering and fruiting. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely, but do not leave it waterlogged. It can survive long periods in some instances without regular watering.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFeed during growth by applying  compost, liquid fertiliser or a balanced vegetable fertiliser during the growing season to support strong growth and regular fruit production.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eEncourage pollination between the  male and female flowers. Bees usually pollinate them, but hand pollination can help if fruit starts forming then shrivels. I personally find this common with some squash and pumpkins.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eHarvest while fruits are young when they are around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e15 - 20 cm long\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e for the best flavour and texture. Regular picking encourages the plant to keep producing. If left too long on the bush they can grow very large and become too fibrous.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eCheck plants often for powdery mildew, aphids, cucumber beetles and other common squash pests. Good airflow, steady watering and regular harvesting help keep plants healthier.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAdditional growing tips\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePlant more than one: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIf space allows - this can improve pollination, especially early in the season when male and female flowers may not open at the same time.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDo not worry if the first flowers fall off: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eZucchini plants often produce male flowers first, which do not form fruit.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHand pollinate early in the morning: \u003c\/b\u003eF\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003elowers are usually most receptive soon after opening, before the heat of the day.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eUse mulch around the base: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e To  keep soil moisture even, reduce splashing soil onto leaves, and help prevent fruit from resting directly on damp ground.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAvoid watering over the leaves: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWhere possible, as wet foliage can encourage powdery mildew and other fungal problems.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHarvest even slightly oversized zucchinis: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e So the plant does not slow down production. Large zucchinis are still useful for grating into cakes, fritters, soups or relish.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCheck under the large leaves regularly: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eZucchinis can hide easily and become oversized almost overnight.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eRemove old or badly mildewed leaves: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eto improve airflow, but avoid stripping too many leaves at once, as the plant still needs foliage to feed the fruit.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDo not overfeed with high-nitrogen fertiliser: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOnce plants are established,as this can encourage lots of leafy growth with fewer flowers and fruit.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eProtect young seedlings: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFrom snails and slugs, as they can damage small plants before they have a chance to grow strongly.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eHeritage of Zucchini-Black Jack\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eZucchini Black Jack belongs to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eCucurbita pepo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, the same species that includes many summer squashes, scallop squash and some pumpkins. Zucchini itself developed from New World squash that was taken to Europe after the Americas were colonised, with the modern slender zucchini types becoming especially popular in Italy before spreading through home gardens around the world. Black Jack is a well-known dark green zucchini variety, valued for its glossy skin, tender flesh and reliable bush habit. Like many modern summer squash varieties, it was selected for fast growth, steady cropping and fruit that is best harvested young, making it a practical favourite for warm-season vegetable gardens.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Direct Compost Solutions","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55020602982772,"sku":"ZBJ","price":3.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1006\/7171\/7748\/files\/ZUCCHINI-BLACK-JACK.webp?v=1785570880","url":"https:\/\/directcompostsolutions.com\/products\/zucchini-black-jack","provider":"DIRECT COMPOST SOLUTIONS","version":"1.0","type":"link"}