Courgette - Cucurbita pepo
Full sun.
Jul–Sep depending on sowing time.
Mar–May outdoors after risk of frost.
40–60cm height; 30–50cm spread.
Overview
A high-yielding summer squash that produces tender courgettes for months. Give plants plenty of space, keep them well watered, and harvest when fruits are young for the best texture. Regular picking encourages more fruit. Ideal for grilling, roasting, pasta dishes, ratatouille and baking.
- Vegetable Type: Courgette
- Key Characteristic: Reliable crop suited to UK gardens with good flavour and productivity.
- Hardiness: Tender annual (protect young plants from frost).
PLANTING ADVICE
Plant in moisture-retentive, fertile soil enriched with compost or manure. Best grown in the ground with plenty of space, though compact types suit large containers.
- Outdoor cultivation
Best grown outdoors in fertile soil with plenty of space and full sun.
- Greenhouse cultivation
Not suitable for greenhouse cultivation.
CARE & HARVEST
Keep soil moist and weed free. Feed weekly once flowers appear using a high-potash fertiliser. Remove any damaged leaves to improve airflow and check plants regularly for pests. Harvest fruits promptly to encourage further cropping.
- Watering: Water regularly and consistently, keeping compost moist but not waterlogged. Avoid letting plants dry out during flowering and fruiting as this can reduce yields.
- Feeding: Feed weekly with a high-potash liquid fertiliser once flowering begins to support fruit production.
- Cutting and prunning: Remove any damaged leaves and excess growth to improve airflow.
- Harvesting: Harvest when fruits are 10–15cm long for the best flavour and texture. Check plants every few days in summer.
- Pest and diseases: Monitor regularly for pests and remove affected growth promptly.
VERVE RECOMMENDS...
- Check plants daily in peak season – fruits grow quickly and are best picked young.