Sowing, growing and harvesting courgettes (Black Beauty)
Watch our animated guides to sowing, growing and harvesting your courgettes.
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Get sowing
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Get growing
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Get harvesting
Instructions
From mid-April - Sow, sow, sow
Dig In and gently push each seed into a small pot of multipurpose compost so it stands vertically. Water, allow to drain, then place indoors on a warm windowsill.
Late May to June - Grow, grow, grow
After about four weeks you'll be ready to plant out. Don't do this until all threat of frost has gone! First harden them off by standing them outside in a sheltered spot during the day and bringing them in at night for at least a week.
Plant each young plant into:
- - a football-sized hole filled with a mix of soil and well-rotted manure or compost. Position each plant one metre away from its nearest neighbour
- - a growing bag from your local garden centre
- - a patio pot that is at least 30cm wide filled with multipurpose compost.
Choose a sunny spot. Courgettes are thirsty veg, especially when in flower and the veg are starting to swell. Give them a good soaking once a week in dry spells. If growing in pots or bags you'll need to water more often.
July to September - Grub's up
To keep plants productive you need to harvest courgettes at least once a week at the height of the season. Once they're around 10cm, use a sharp knife to cut the veg from the plant. Courgettes are best eaten fresh or can be stored for a few days in the fridge.
