OwnGrown

These have started - the first courgettes will not grow very big so pick them small and let the plant develop. We always pick the courgettes small and ensure we have enough by growing a few more plants. The courgettes will grow very fast if not paicked and become far too big in just a few days.

Sowed 2 seeds per Jiffy pot indoors of same courgettes as last year - Defender and Jenner. Will have 2 plants of each type outdoors later and this is more than enough for the average family. These start germinating one week after sowing, are put outside under cloches ten days later and were planted in their final postion about 2′ apart in soil that had been well manured..

The courgettes stopped producing anything worthwhile in mid September so were dug up and put on the compost heap.

Now picking courgettes when fairly small 10 - 15 cms (4″-6″) long. Six or seven weighing about 450 gms (1 lb) should be ready at least once a week from four plants. The green ones shown here are Defender and the yellow are Jenner. They will get bigger very quickly if you need more - a day or two is all that is required.

Started picking Courgettes late June. The first few are always small but they will get bigger as the plants grow. However it is best to always pick when not too big.

Plant courgettes outside 60 cms (2′) apart end May. They are prolific so few plants are needed

Sowed green Courgette F1 Defender and yellow F1 Jenner in late April - two seeds per pot indoors. Germination after about one week and plant outside 60 cms (2′) apart end May or early June. Pictured here is the green Courgette F1 Defender and the yellow ones are pictured elsewhere with the Broad Beans. Cropping starts late June. They are prolific so few are needed and should be picked when the courgettes are reasonably small.