Zucchini – Cocozelle, Gray and Round

Grey, cocozelle, and round zucchini are all types of summer squash and grow in almost exactly the same way. The main differences are plant size, harvest stage, and spacing and they differ in shape, flavor, texture and best uses.

Planting Grey, Cocozelle, and Round Zucchini

Soil

• Loose, well-drained soil

• Rich in organic matter or compost

• Ideal pH: 6.0–7.0

Work 2–3 inches of compost into the soil before planting.

Sun

• Full sun (6–8+ hours daily)

• More sun = better yields and fewer diseases.

When to Plant (Tennessee)

Plant after the danger of frost when soil warms.

Round zucchini varieties are often more compact, so they work well in raised beds or containers.

Watering

Zucchini need consistent moisture.

• 1–2 inches of water per week

• Water at the base of the plant

• Avoid wet leaves to prevent disease

Mulch helps keep soil moist and cool.

Fertilizing

Zucchini are heavy feeders.

Add compost before planting

When plants start flowering, feed with a balanced fertilizer such as 5-5-5 or 10-10-10

Side-dress with compost every 3–4 weeks

Pollination

Zucchini plants produce separate male and female flowers.

Signs of good pollination:

• Fruit begins swelling after flowers close.

If fruit shrivels, pollination may be poor.

Hand pollination:

Pick a male flower

Remove petals

Touch pollen to the center of a female flower

Harvest Times

Grey Zucchini

• Harvest at 6–8 inches long

• Skin should still be tender

Cocozelle Zucchini

• Harvest at 6–10 inches long

• Best flavor when young

Round Zucchini

• Harvest at 3–4 inches wide (baseball size)

• Perfect for stuffing

Frequent harvesting encourages more fruit production.

Pest Watch

Common pests include:

• Squash vine borer

• Squash bugs

• Aphids

Prevention tips:

• Use floating row covers early in the season

• Inspect leaves weekly

• Plant flowers like borage, alyssum, or marigolds to attract beneficial insects

Yield

Healthy plants can produce:

• 6–10 lbs of zucchini per plant

• Sometimes 10–20 fruits per plant

Helpful garden tip: Harvest zucchini every 1–2 days once production starts. Large fruits slow down the plant and reduce new zucchini formation.

Grey Zucchini

Also called: Mexican Grey Squash or Lebanese-type zucchini

Appearance

• Light green to gray-green skin

• Smooth with faint speckling

• Slightly bulbous near the blossom end

Flavor

• Mild and slightly sweeter than standard dark green zucchini

Texture

• Tender flesh

• Thin skin

• Very few seeds when young

Best Uses

• Sautéing

• Grilling

• Stuffed squash boats

• Mexican dishes like calabacitas

Garden Notes

• Very productive plants

• Handles heat well (good for southern gardens like Tennessee)

• Harvest at 6–8 inches for best flavor

Cocozelle Zucchini

Appearance

• Long and slender

• Dark green with light green stripes

• Often slightly curved

Flavor

• One of the most flavorful zucchinis

• Rich, nutty taste

Texture

• Dense flesh

• Small seed cavity

Best Uses

• Italian cooking

• Grilling and roasting

• Zucchini noodles

• Slicing into rounds

Garden Notes

• Very vigorous plants

• Best harvested 6–10 inches long

Round Zucchini

Also called: globe zucchini or eight-ball zucchini

Appearance

• Small and ball-shaped

• Usually dark green but sometimes striped or light green

Flavor

• Mild, similar to regular zucchini

Texture

• Thick walls

• Larger seed cavity if allowed to mature

Best Uses

• Stuffed squash (its main advantage)

• Baking or roasting whole

Garden Notes

• Harvest at baseball size (3–4 inches)

• Plants are compact and good for containers

Quick Comparison

Garden tip: If you’re growing zucchini in Tennessee gardens, cocozelle and grey types often produce longer in summer heat, while round zucchini are great for container gardens or small spaces.