How to Grow Marrow
Cucurbita pepo
When to Start
Start seeds indoors 4 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 10°C and soil has warmed to at least 12°C.
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Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Once flowering begins, feed every two weeks with a high-potash liquid fertiliser. Before planting, enrich the soil generously with well-rotted compost or manure — marrows are hungry plants.
- Marrows need full sun, rich soil, and consistent moisture. Water deeply at the base each week and mulch well to retain moisture. In cool summers, hand-pollinate flowers to improve fruit set.
Companion Planting
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Growing Conditions
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- Sow indoors
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- Transplant out
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- First harvest
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 75 cm |
| Row spacing | 85 cm |
| Sow depth | 2.5 cm |
| Mature height | 40 cm |
| Mature spread | 120 cm |
Marrows are trailing plants that need plenty of room. Train along the ground or over a compost heap. Allow at least 1 square metre per plant.
Care Guide
- Feeding
- Once flowering begins, feed every two weeks with a high-potash liquid fertiliser. Before planting, enrich the soil generously with well-rotted compost or manure — marrows are hungry plants.
- Watch for
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- Powdery mildew (white coating on leaves, common late season)
- Grey mould / Botrytis on fruit and stems
- Slugs and snails on young plants
- Aphids on new growth
Pests & Diseases
Pest Slugs and Snails
Identification: Holes in leaves and stems, particularly damaging to young plants
- Physical barriers around young plants
- Beer traps
- Hand picking at dusk
- Slug pellets - use sparingly
Pest Aphids
Identification: Small insects clustering on undersides of leaves and new growth
- Insecticidal soap
- Strong water spray
- Encourage natural predators
- Approved systemic insecticides
Disease Powdery Mildew
Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves, more common late in season
Treatment: Remove affected leaves, improve ventilation
Prevention: Good air circulation, water at soil level, avoid overcrowding
Disease Grey Mould (Botrytis) Botrytis cinerea
Symptoms: Fuzzy grey mould on fruits and stems
Treatment: Remove affected parts, improve growing conditions
Prevention: Good air circulation, remove damaged fruits promptly
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 12°C |
| Germination temperature | 20–28°C |
| Base growth temperature | 10°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 10h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Marrow?
- Plant Marrow 75cm apart with 85cm between rows.
- When can I harvest Marrow?
- Marrow is ready to harvest approximately 45 days after transplanting.
- Is Marrow frost hardy?
- Marrow is classified as Tender.
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