Courgettes
Cucurbita pepo · Easy
A highly productive summer crop where one or two plants are often enough for a household.
Sow
Sow indoors in April–May or direct outdoors in late May–June.
Plant
Plant out after frost, usually late May or June.
Harvest
July to October; pick fruits small and frequently.
Practical growing notes
Give courgettes the right space.
- Plant spacing
- Allow roughly 90 cm each way.
- Light
- Full sun in a sheltered position.
- Containers
- Yes, but use a pot at least 45 cm wide and deep.
Why grow it?
Heavy yields from very few plants.
Watch for
Needs generous water, feeding and much more space than seedlings suggest.
Keep the bed moving
What can follow courgettes?
A quick cool-season leaf crop for spring and autumn, with repeat pickings from small sowings.
brassica familyRocketA compact peppery leaf crop that can be harvested repeatedly and grows well in containers.
onion familyGarlicA low-maintenance overwintering crop planted as named, disease-free cloves.
pea and bean familyBroad beansA hardy bean that provides an early harvest and can free a bed in time for summer crops.