Courgette - Cucurbita pepo

Courgette or as sometimes referred to as zucchini. Sow in pots indoors in April, planting 2 seeds per 75cm (3in) pot, push seeds into the compost sideways to reduce the chance of them rotting. They need gentle heat to germinate, so put them on a warm windowsill. Remove the weaker seedling after they have produced their first pair of true leaves. In early May, transplant outside where they are to grow, spacing the plants 24-36cm (2-3ft) apart so they have a chance to spread out. The end of May is the ideal time to direct sow seed outside. Keep plants well watered, try not to get developing courgettes wet as this can increase the chance of them rotting on the plant.

They like moist, very rich soil in a sunny position.

Keep harvesting courgettes from July when they are small to encourage further production. If you miss collecting any they will grow into marrows, which can still be harvested and eaten.

Culinary use:

Courgettes have a high water content so they don't freeze very well. If you have a glut of them, make ribbons with a peeler or spiralising them into salads, stir fries, homemade burgers, lasagne or grate them and add to a cake mixture.

Cultivars and varieties:

Cucurbita pepo 'Afrodite'

Cucurbita pepo 'Defender' - A good cropping courgette with mildew resistance.

Cucurbita pepo 'Gold Rush' - A yellow skinned variety.

Cucurbita pepo 'Piccolo'

Cucurbita pepo 'Summer Ball' - A round, yellow-skinned variety.

Cucurbita pepo 'Tuscany' - A variety that produces a large crop and has a good resistance to mildew. It's been especially bred to cope with the UK climate.

Cucurbita pepo 'Zucchini'

Cucurbita pepo var. giromontina 'All Green Bush'

Seeds to sow now:

Indoor or in a heated greenhouse

Ageratum

Alyssum

Aubergine

Bell pepper, Pepper, Sweet pepper

Cardoon

Cauliflower

Celeriac

Celery

Columbine

Cress

Cucumber

Floss flower, Ageratum

Lettuce

Lobelia

Ornamental pepper

Pepper

Petunia

Salvia

Tomato

Outside

Alyssum

Amaranthus

Antwerp hollyhock, Fig-leaved hollyhock, Hollyhock

Asparagus

Beetroot

Borecole, Kale

Bristly hollyhock

Broccoli

Brussels sprout

Cabbage

Carrot

Cauliflower

Common hollyhock

Hollyhock

Lettuce

Normandy sorrel

Onion

Ornamental winter kale

Parsnip

Radish

Spinach

Spinach, Summer spinach

Spring onion

Sweet pea

Turnip

Outside under cover

Carrot

Cauliflower

Courgette

Cucumber

French marigold

Leek

Lettuce

Marrow

Onion

Pea

Snapdragon

Sweet corn

Tomato

 

 

Protected by Copyscape