Courgette and marrow
| Growing calendar | |
|---|---|
| Sow indoors | April |
| Plant out | May-June |
| Harvest | Mid Jul-mid Oct |
How to grow courgettes and marrows
Sow courgette and marrow seeds on their side indoors, at 20C, in pots of warm, peat-free compost, 1.5cm deep. Harden off and transplant your courgette plants outside when large enough to handle, 60-90cm apart - and all risk of frost has passed.
Alternatively, you can sow direct outdoors in May or June. Choose fertile soil and a sunny, sheltered site. They don't like the wind and are hungry plants so add plenty of well rotted compost to the planting area prior to planting.
Pinch out growing tops to trailing stems when 60cm long to put the energy back into the fruit.
Harvesting and using courgettes and marrows
Cut (not pull) 10cm long courgettes, and 20cm long marrows. Leave marrows for longer to produce a tougher skin if storing. Keep picking for more fruit. They can be fried, steamed or grilled. Flowers are also edible.
Tips for growing courgettes and marrows
- Slugs love courgettes and marrows so they will need some protection.
- Keep well watered during hot weather, and mulch to conserve moisture.
- Put marrows on a tile or similar surface to stop rotting.
- Feed twice monthly with a comfrey liquid feed for bumber crops.
Head to our seed saving guide for more information on saving seeds from cucurbits.
| Growing notes | |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Germination time | 5-8 days |
| Average time to harvest | 10-14 weeks |
| Equipment needed | Mulch (e.g. homemade compost), tiles |
| Average plant size | 45cm tall, 120cm wide |
| Family group to grow with | Cucurbits: pumpkin, squash |
| Key nutritional content | Vitamin C, folate |
| Seed saving notes | Annual, can cross pollinate |