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 in 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. Plant outside where they are to grow, in early May.
They like moist, very rich soil in a sunny position. Water regularly.
Keep harvesting courgettes from July, when they are small, to encourage further production.
Suggested sowing time:
(Key: 
sow indoors, 
sow outside, 
sow outside under cover.)
Use:
Because of their high water content they don't freeze very well. If you have a glut of them, try grating or 'spiralising' them into salads and stir fries or using them in burgers or lasagne.
Varieties:
Cucurbita pepo 'Afrodite'Cucubita pepo var. Giromontina 'All Green Bush'
Cucurbita pepo 'Atena' - Yellow skinned variety.
Cucurbita pepo 'Gold rush' - A yellow skinned variety.
Cucurbita pepo 'Piccolo'
Cucurbita pepo 'Tuscany' - Large crop with good resistance to mildew.
Cucurbita pepo 'Zucchini'
Seeds to plant now:
Indoor or in a heated greenhouse
Aubretia, Rock cress, Aubrieta, Aubrietia
Brussels sprout
Lobelia
Ornamental Pepper
Petunia
Salvia
Tomato
Outside
Runner bean
Outside
Cabbage
carrot
Onion
Radish
Turnip
