Welcome to my full guide on growing Courgettes, or zucchinis. These are versatile and productive vegetables that are popular among gardeners, allotment holders, and kitchen garden growers. With proper care and attention, they can provide a bountiful harvest throughout the summer months. This guide will take you through the essential steps to successfully grow courgettes in your garden or allotment.
1. Choosing Varieties: When selecting courgette varieties, consider factors such as space, climate, and personal preferences. Look for varieties that are well-suited to your growing conditions and culinary needs. Some popular varieties include ‘Defender’, ‘El Greco’, and ‘Orelia’. Opt for spine-free and disease-resistant varieties for ease of cultivation. Buy Courgette seeds on Amazon
2. Sowing Seeds: Courgettes can be grown from seed, either indoors or directly outdoors. For an early start, sow seeds indoors in April or early May. Plant seeds individually in pots filled with moist seed compost, and place them in a warm, sunny location. Once seedlings emerge, transplant them into larger pots or containers.
Alternatively, sow seeds directly outdoors in late May or early June, once the soil has warmed up. Prepare the sowing site by incorporating well-rotted manure or compost. Sow two or three seeds in mounds, cover with soil, and water well. Thin out weaker seedlings once they have germinated, leaving only the strongest ones.
3. Planting Out: Transplant young courgette plants outdoors in early summer, once all danger of frost has passed. Harden off the plants by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over the course of a week. Choose a warm, sunny location with fertile, well-drained soil. Space plants at least 90cm (3ft) apart to allow for ample growth.
Prepare the planting site by digging in compost or well-rotted manure, and sprinkle a general-purpose fertilizer over the soil. Carefully remove the young courgette plants from their pots and plant them into the prepared site. Water thoroughly after planting, and protect young plants from slugs and snails.
4. Plant Care:
- Watering: Courgettes are thirsty plants and require regular watering, especially during hot spells. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid wetting the leaves to prevent fungal diseases. Consider using a drip irrigation system or watering directly at the base of the plants.
- Feeding: Boost fruiting by feeding courgette plants every 10-14 days with a high-potash liquid fertilizer once the first fruits start to swell. Apply the fertilizer according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and water in well after feeding.
- Mulching: Lay a thick layer of mulch around courgette plants to help retain moisture in the soil, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Use organic mulches such as garden compost or well-rotted manure, leaving a gap around the base of the stem to prevent rotting.
5. Pruning and Training: Remove any tatty or diseased leaves to improve airflow and expose the fruits to sunlight. This helps prevent fungal diseases and makes harvesting easier. Train courgette plants to grow in a compact, upright manner by gently tying them to support stakes or trellises.
6. Harvesting and Storing: (Video Guide Included) Harvest courgettes when they are small, tender, and full of flavor, typically at 10-12.5cm (4-5in) long. Regular picking encourages continuous fruiting throughout the season. Use a sharp knife to cut the courgettes from the plant, taking care not to damage the stems.
Store freshly picked courgettes in the refrigerator for up to a week. Alternatively, freeze them for long-term storage by blanching in boiling water before freezing. Courgettes can also be preserved by pickling or making chutneys and relishes.
7. Common Problems and Solutions:
- Pests: Protect courgette plants from common pests such as slugs, snails, and aphids by using physical barriers, organic repellents, or companion planting with pest-repellent herbs and flowers.
- Diseases: Prevent fungal diseases such as powdery mildew by watering at the base of the plants, providing good airflow, and avoiding overhead watering. Treat affected plants with organic fungicides if necessary.
- Poor Pollination: Ensure adequate pollination by attracting pollinators to your garden with flowering plants and avoiding the use of pesticides that harm beneficial insects. Consider hand-pollinating courgette flowers if natural pollination is inadequate.
Are you looking for a quick growing guide for your courgettes or zucchini?
By following these steps and tips, you can successfully grow courgettes in your garden or allotment, enjoying a continuous harvest of fresh and delicious vegetables throughout the summer months. Happy gardening!
What next?
👇🏼 Let me Guide you through the season “NEWSLETTER” ✅ Always know what to sow and when, your full guide to the growing season. (Monthly Newsletter) Simple easy to follow (No Fluff, Spam or filler) just good advice. https://veggiepatchideas.substack.com/
✅ Helpful links
Take a look at my Amazon store front for guides and product reviews of the things that you need.
RHS: facts about courgettes Click here
Just starting your veggie patch? Start here with our beginners guide
Problems on the allotment? Remove Couch Grass or Remove Bindweed
Looking for an allotment in the UK? Try searching here first GOV.UK
The national allotment society Click Here
Other sites we love Gardeners world
