Courgette Plants

[teamladd]

Hi All,

I have just been given some courgette plants, they are about 15cm tall at present. I havent grown them before and was wondering how to grow them? Do then need heat, or will they be ok outside? Lots of water/little water?

Any help will be great.

Thanks.

[Harry T]

Usually Ok outside. You need about a yard square area as they spread. They like water, so I bury an upturned large plastic bottle with the bottom cut off near the plant. I leave the lid on but bore a smallish hole so that the water can seep arond the roots. This can also be used for a weekly feed. Cut the courgettes off regularly (daily?!) and be prepared for a prolific crop.

[pdblake]

If you've just been given them the odds are they've not been hardened off, so you might want to do that first.

Also, as well as thirsty they are hungry plants too so make sure you put plenty of manure or fertiliser in with them. I use a handful of comfrey and a handful of chicken pellets (which will hopefully be going quickly out of fashion now I've got some chooks)

[Incy]

Don't grow them in the GH!
Last year I tried this ( got a bit excited as it was 1st year having GH) they went absolutey mad grew the whole length of the GH loads of flowers etc but the fruit kept rotting before it matured so got much less from them even though they were miles bigger than I did from the sorry looking ones outside.
Seriously it was like day of the triphids in there. you could barely get in through the door!
They are thirsty and although everyone says they are hungry I have yet to feed a courgette plant and have always had decent crops (ie: all our friends and neighbours get some too ). I do always plant them in grow bag compost or in good soil though and they are watered every day if it doesn't rain.
Good luck with them and enjoy your harvest

[SlugLobber]

I didn't feed my courgettes last year, but it was the first crop in that patch and I have clay soil.

Definitely no to greenhouse. OH's Dad has one which grows in his greenhouse, outside his greenhouse, over it...

[HayleyB]

Mulch, big time, try straw they hate drought, I've got mine in manure same as last year worked really well