Courgette
Enrich the planting hole generously with well-rotted manure or compost before planting — this is one of the hungriest, thirstiest crops in the vegetable garden.
Care
Especially once fruiting — consistent moisture is critical for fruit quality.
Fertile, humus-rich soil, enriched generously with well-rotted organic matter before planting; a heavy feeder.
Not applicable to bush courgette types; pinch out the growing tips of trailing squash/pumpkin vines once enough fruit has set, to focus energy on ripening rather than further sprawl.
A high-potash liquid feed weekly once the first fruits are swelling, on top of the rich manured soil these want from the start. A courgette in a pot that stops producing has almost always run out of feed rather than water.
From seed sown under cover in mid-spring, two per pot, sown on edge to reduce rotting. They resent root disturbance, so plant out in a biodegradable pot or handle the rootball intact.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MayPlant out only once all frost risk has passed. how ›
- JulyHarvest courgettes small and often (every couple of days), which keeps the plant productive all summer.
- SeptemberStop watering and let winter squash/pumpkin skins harden in the sun before harvest and storage. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilPlant out only once all frost risk has passed. how ›
- JulyHarvest courgettes small and often (every couple of days), which keeps the plant productive all summer.
- SeptemberStop watering and let winter squash/pumpkin skins harden in the sun before harvest and storage. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilPlant out only once all frost risk has passed. how ›
- JulyHarvest courgettes small and often (every couple of days), which keeps the plant productive all summer.
- SeptemberStop watering and let winter squash/pumpkin skins harden in the sun before harvest and storage. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchPlant out only once all frost risk has passed. how ›
- JulyHarvest courgettes small and often (every couple of days), which keeps the plant productive all summer.
- OctoberStop watering and let winter squash/pumpkin skins harden in the sun before harvest and storage. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. White powdery coating on leaves, common by late summer.
What to do. Keep soil consistently moist; remove worst-affected leaves.
How to spot it. On young seedlings, the most vulnerable stage.
What to do. Use barriers or organic control methods.
How to spot it. From insufficient pollination.
What to do. Hand-pollinate with a soft brush if few bees are visiting.
Questions
Courgette: is it hardy?
H2: Tender. It survives down to 1 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Bush courgette types suit a large container; trailing squash/pumpkin need more space, in open ground or a very large container with room to trail.
Courgette: when do you prune it?
Not applicable to bush courgette types; pinch out the growing tips of trailing squash/pumpkin vines once enough fruit has set, to focus energy on ripening rather than further sprawl.
Courgette: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in June–August.
When do you feed it?
A high-potash liquid feed weekly once the first fruits are swelling, on top of the rich manured soil these want from the start. A courgette in a pot that stops producing has almost always run out of feed rather than water. Feeding months, UK: June–August.