Question
Usually by this time of sunner (pgh.,PA) we're tired of zucchini.  This year, however, we've had lots of blossome but not one zuc. I suspect it's lack of bees,but is there anything we can do?

Answer
Hi Sheila,
Thanx for your question.  Yes, you can hand pollinate the plants.  It is best to hand pollinate before 10:00 am.  Take a male blossom (one that does not have a nodule behind the flower and take the petals off in order to expose the male sexual organs.  Locate a female blossom which will have a baby fruit (nodule) behind the petals.  Open the blossom carefully and rub the male sex organs against the female sex organs.  The pollen contains the sperm that is needed to pollinate the ovary of the female plant.  Just like in animals and humans.  Take a look at this You Tube demonstration.  If that doesn't help, let me know and I'll try to locate something better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qv1_dkQLiQ

I hope this helps.
Tom