GROWING NOTES

Amend garden soil well with lots of aged manure or compost before sowing. Protect young seedlings from marauding birds by covering with plastic berry baskets at planting time, removing when plants get crowded. Be sure to thin properly; you’ll get more zucchini from two or three well-spaced plants as from more crowded and thus disease prone ones. Covering plants with floating row covers will help prevent squash borers if these pests are a problem in your area.

HARVEST AND USE

Dark green Raven are easy to find and pick. Harvest when young, no larger than 5 inches in length; all zucchini lose flavor and quality with size. Frequent harvesting keeps plants producing tasty new fruits all season long. Tender-fleshed and delicate, Raven zucchini are scrumptious simply steamed or sliced lengthwise and grilled on the barbecue.