Zucchini Diamant F1 plants - Cucurbita pepo

The Diamant F1 courgette is a non-running, early and productive variety, suitable for outdoor or greenhouse cultivation to be forced. In summer, the plant produces numerous cylindrical fruits, with dark green, glossy skin. It has an open habit, which facilitates harvesting. It can be planted from April to July, after the last frost, for a harvest from July to October.

NB: This variety is labeled F1 for "F1 hybrid" because it is a variety resulting from the cross-breeding of carefully selected parents to combine their qualities. This results in a variety that can be particularly flavorful and/or early while also being resistant to certain diseases. Sometimes criticized or mistakenly associated with GMOs, F1 hybrid seeds are interesting both for their uniformity and their resistance, but unfortunately, their qualities do not pass on to subsequent generations: it will therefore not be possible to retrieve the seeds for future sowing.

Orange, green, red, yellow, black, or even blue, smooth, ribbed, warty, with tender skin, etc. pumpkins and courgettes offer us a surprising variety of shapes, colors, and sizes because they hybridize with disconcerting ease. That is why there are so many varieties of them.

In common language, winter squash refers to all kinds of pumpkins, butternuts, and hubbards, etc., with tough skin and delicately sweet flesh. By summer squash or courgettes, we mean the different varieties that are harvested while still young when the skin is still tender. The latter are consumed with the seeds.

They all originate from America and belong to the large family of cucurbits. They were introduced to Europe in the 16th century.

• There are about ten species of squash, of which four are the most cultivated in our vegetable gardens. These are Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita moschata or musk squashes, Cucurbita maxima, and finally Cucurbita argyrosperma.
• Cucurbita pepo: these are the most common in vegetable gardens and include certain pumpkins, courgettes, pattypan squashes, etc. They are generally recognized by their rigid, dissected leaves and their angular peduncle with at least 5 ribs that do not widen at the point of attachment to the fruit.
• Cucurbita moschata or musk squashes: they have soft leaves. The peduncle is very ribbed and visibly widens at the point of attachment to the fruit. The leaves take the shape of a heart.
• Cucurbita maxima: these are mainly pumpkins. Their peduncle is rounded and becomes somewhat spongy. As the name of the species suggests, it mainly concerns large-fruited varieties. The leaves have 5 lobes.
• Cucurbita argyrosperma: very rare in our gardens, they have trilobed leaves and a very thick, robust, and non-ribbed peduncle.

Generally running, they cling to any support using their tendrils. Female flowers can be distinguished from male flowers by their inferior ovary (under the flower), which resembles an embryo of a fruit. In many regions, male flowers are harvested just after pollination to be eaten stuffed or in fritters. There are many ways to consume pumpkins and courgettes. Sautéed, fried, in gratin, in soups, or stuffed. Courgettes are a key ingredient in Provençal ratatouille, Italian caponata, North African couscous, and many emblematic Mediterranean dishes.

Harvesting: Pumpkins and courgettes are fruits that need a lot of water to give their best. Pumpkins are best when harvested at ripeness. Courgettes are harvested young and fresh, still immature. All of them should be handled with care and remain free from any cuts or bruises.

Storage: Courgettes are cut into pieces and then frozen. Their delicate skin is not suitable for storing as is. Winter squash with tough skin can be stored for several months and consumed throughout the winter. Unlike other fruits and vegetables, they need warmth for optimum storage. There is no need to store them in a dark place, so you might as well keep them where their plump silhouette can be appreciated.

Gardener's tip: Place a slate tile or roof tile under the fruit. It will no longer be in direct contact with the ground, thus avoiding rotting due to moisture. Likewise, they particularly like slightly moist soils. Remember to mulch around the plants, especially during the height of summer. Pumpkins and courgettes are highly susceptible to powdery mildew (a fungal disease that leaves a white fuzz on the surface of the leaves). Be careful not to water the leaves or flowers. Associate your pumpkins with alliums like chives, onions, or shallots, or with legumes like beans or peas. On the other hand, the marriage of pumpkin and cucumber may be detrimental to both parties.