Grow Your Own: Courgettes

Courgettes: our how to grow guide If you only sow one crop this spring, make it a courgette. They're a doddle to grow - providing you keep them well watered – and they’re very tasty too! The best time to sow the seed is from March to the end of May. 1. The first step is to fill a 7.5cm (3”) pot with compost and firm down gently. Then place one seed on its side, 2.5cm (1”) deep and cover. Label the pot, water the seed and place in a sunny site, such as on a windowsill.

2. Keep the compost moist and when the roots begin to show through the bottom of the pot, transfer everything into a 12.5cm (5”) container.

3. Once the weather gets warmer and there’s no more risk of frost (ideally mid May – early June) plant the beginnings of your courgettes out into grow bags, soil or a large pot. It’s important to try and place them in a sunny spot in the garden.

4. Keep your courgette plant well watered and it’s often a good idea to supplement poor soil with some organic fertiliser. The courgettes will be ready when they are 10cm (4”) long – eat fresh for the best flavour.

5. Your plant should continue to yield heavily right up until the first frosts of the autumn.

Our english garden spaghetti is a delicious way to use up your homegrown courgettes. Get the recipe here.