Organic Garden: Review of Zucchini "Eight Ball"

Many popular summer squash have bush-type growing habits. Eight Ball is a compact, bushy plant. The plants grow to a typical 24 inch height, with large leaves that shade the fruit from the scorching summer sun. In late May, I planted 5 seeds per hill and had a 95 percent germination rate. The plants have been loaded with blossoms from about day #48 after planting, with mature fruits beginning at about 50 to 55 days. The fruits are non-stop, with 2 or 3 per bush maturing every couple of days.

I have not irrigated my garden this year. Rainfall has been ample, sometimes more than enough. Even with a string of several days with temps in the 90s and heat index well over 100, these plants produce nice little zucchinis. So far there has not been a problem with powdery mildew or other common squash diseases, even though we have had high humidity conditions that are conducive to fungus and disease problems.

Eight Ball squash should be harvested when they are about softball size, which is very convenient for storage. They easily fit into any refrigerator vegetable crisper. One seed catalog I read recommended harvesting at about 3 inches in diameter, but at slightly larger softball size, my squash still have immature seeds that are completely soft and edible, and the skin is tender and thin.

I planted these mini-zukes because we like stuffed zucchini. A couple of these had grown to nearly 5 inches before I picked them, and they were just right to hollow out and stuff. Half a stuffed squash this size makes a great meal.

The best thing about Eight Ball zucchini is that even if I miss picking one, it won't be a two-foot long monster the next time I go to the garden! I may never plant regular zucchini again.

Click here for more articles by this author.

Source:
Personal experience