Zucchini Atena Polka seeds - Cucurbita pepo

The Atena Polka F1 Hybrid Courgette is a selection of decorative yellow courgette, highly productive and resistant to diseases. It produces clusters of fruits with a thin skin and intense yellow colour, the white flesh has the sweet flavour of green varieties. This variety is highly resistant to powdery mildew and viruses such as watermelon mosaic, cucumber mosaic, courgette mosaic and other diseases. Its fruit is suitable for many culinary uses. Its good productivity allows for freezing part of the harvest for winter. From early sowings, harvest begins in July and continues until late September or early October. Grown in greenhouses or open ground, it thrives in heat, water, and full sun.

Orange, green, red, yellow, black, or even blue, smooth, ribbed, warty, with tender skin, etc., squashes and courgettes offer us an astonishing variability of shapes, colours and sizes because they hybridise with surprising ease. That's why there are so many varieties.

Geberally, winter squash refers to all kinds of pumpkins, potimarrons, butternut squash, etc., with tough skin and delicately sweet flesh. Summer squash or courgettes, on the other hand, are the different varieties that are harvested when the skin is still tender. The latter are consumed with the seeds.

All of them are native to America and belong to the large cucurbit family. They were introduced to Europe in the 16th century. They are usually trailing and will cling to any support using their tendrils. Female flowers can be distinguished from male flowers by their inferior ovary (under the flower), resembling a small fruit. In many regions, male flowers are harvested just after pollination to be consumed stuffed or fried. There are many ways to consume squashes and courgettes. Sautéed, fried, in gratin, in soups, or stuffed. Courgettes are a key ingredient in Provencal ratatouille, Italian caponata, Maghrebi couscous, or many iconic Mediterranean dishes.

Harvest: Squashes and courgettes need a lot of water to give their best. Squashes are best when picked ripe. Courgettes are harvested young and fresh, still immature. All of them must be handled with care and remain free of any cuts or bruises.

Storage: Courgettes can be cut into pieces and frozen. Their delicate skin is not suitable for storage as it is. Winter squashes with tough skin can be stored for several months and consumed throughout the winter. Unlike other fruits and vegetables, they need warmth for optimal storage. There is no need to store them in a dark place, so it's better to store them where their plump silhouette can be appreciated.

Gardener's tip: Place a slate or tile under the fruit so it is no longer in direct contact with the ground, thus avoiding rotting due to moisture. They particularly like slightly moist soils. Consider mulching around the plants, especially during the peak of summer. Squashes and courgettes are very 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. Grow your squashes with Allium plants such as chives, onions, or shallots, or with legumes such as beans or peas. A squash-cucumber combination may harm both parties.