How do I get a courgette glut?

[Nicos]

I'd go with taff- water them

( but not too close to the stem , or over the fruit or they'll rot)

[Two_Sheds]

I planted them from seed, it was in April

Ah, that may be the key. It was a cold spring, so they may have had their growth checked (stopped). I don't sow until 4 weeks before they go outside, which is June usually.

they have approximately 1metre between them. They get fed once a week

I think the packets say 2 foot between each plant? Ish.
I don't feed mine, at all, ever. They never need it. When the weather is warm enough, they go outside and just romp away.

[Bramble_killer]

I have got clay soil though, depends on your soil obviously.

Let's just say my town was known for brick and tile manufacture. The soil is good enough for that.

I think the packets say 2 foot between each plant? Ish.
I don't feed mine, at all, ever. They never need it. When the weather is warm enough, they go outside and just romp away.

I checked and it's 3 feet to a metre so mine have space between them, maybe it's just the being planted with other things that's making them sulk

[Alison]

My outdoor ones aren't producing yet although are starting to form so won't be long but the extra one I shoved in the polytunnel is a triffid and kicking them out like nothing on earth - had a lovely tomato, courgette, pepper, chilli and basil thing for tea with pasta, really good it was too.

[binley100]

Go away for two weeks and when you come back they'll have produced marrows . Why ?
Cos they're sneaky and like to wait until your backs turned.

[womble]

I checked and it's 3 feet to a metre so mine have space between them, maybe it's just the being planted with other things that's making them sulk

The packet might say that, but I've found they really need as much space as possible.

I remember seeing Monty on GW a few years back having this huge bed and saying he will only fit in 3 courgettes in it. I scoffed a little, as would have put in 5 or 6. But he was dead right and they really need alot of space.

[zazen999]

I made a 20 courgette ratatouille on Saturday and by last night picked another 8 full sized once from the lottie and didn't even dare go to the garden and see what was waiting there.

Did you put them in the soil too early do you think?

[womble]

Did you put them in the soil too early do you think?

I've just looked when I put mine out, The majority went out exactly half way through May and a couple went out on the 25th of April.
The couple that went out early are still doing very well, to be fair they didn't really start cropping any earlier than the later ones, but they definitely have deeper root systems as they are cropping heavier now and just look more established.

When it looked like frost (which was often) I covered them in buckets until they got too big, when they had fleece over them.
They shrugged off any early frosts and started producing courgettes about a week into June.

So my conclusion, is that if you cover them on cold nights and protect from cold winds (which I did) they can take going in early.

[Florence Fennel]

The All Green Bush I have in builder's buckets have all but stopped producing. I wonder if I transplanted these to open ground if they would revive? What do you think? I have got a bit of space I could use. Mmm?

[Bren In Pots]

I'm growing 3 Black Beauty ones, odd thing is the the one in the 24inch storage box is doing much better than those 2 in the ground.

[sarah9786]

I'm having a poor yield with my courgettes also. They are getting plenty of water and the conditions are good for them, just loads of flowers, mostly male. I've harvested only one courgette so far, but another is growing and should be ready in a couple of days. Shame because i really like courgettes.

You could try some ferts? I've read somewhere that more male flowers can mean that the plant doesn't think it's got enough nutes to support courgettes growing. I started putting some on about 4 weeks ago and again 2 weeks ago and hopefully I'm on the way to a glut now! Picked 3 yesterday from one plant yum

[Speed Gardener]

I've got a bit of a glut already and only half of my 28 plants are producing!..
I didin't plant any of them out until it was properly warm, it's a waste of time, they just won't grow in cold or windy conditions.
My record last year was 35 picked in one day, albeit after two days' growing.
I dig a hole a spit deep and fill it with alternating layers of manure and soil and then pour a whole can of water into it before planting. I then pile up surrounding soil around to form a wall that holds the water close to the plant.
You still need plenty of warmth and in particular sunshine to keep the production up, though.
I'm growing eight ball, one ball, gold rush, nero di milano, verde d'italia, romanesco, genovese, striato d'italia and another pale green round one whose name escapes me.
You can never have too many courgettes!!

[Alison]

28 plants - blimey, how many are you feeding. I've got 3 in and thought that was over the top!

[Bramble_killer]

Did you put them in the soil too early do you think?

It was definitely after the frost. Perhaps end of May? I don't really keep records so every year is different!

Guessing it was potbound then.

I did pick 2 courgettes yesterday so there is hope yet!!!! I am so jealous of those with courgette gluts.

I remember seeing Monty on GW a few years back having this huge bed and saying he will only fit in 3 courgettes in it. I scoffed a little, as would have put in 5 or 6. But he was dead right and they really need alot of space.

Thanks, I'll try spacing them out and giving them a whole bed to themselves next year

[womble]

Thanks, I'll try spacing them out and giving them a whole bed to themselves next year

That's the conclusion I came to last year. Even now, my all green bush and black beauty have grown simply huge, I simply hate them!

I think courgette plants are like goldfish, they grow into the space that's available.

I've got a bit of a glut already and only half of my 28 plants are producing!..

28, wow, don't you think that's a little to excess? As Alison asks, how many are you feeding there?