Courgette
How to sow courgettes successfully under cover?
To grow courgettes naturally under cover, it's essential to start by sowing the seeds in individual cups or pots filled with quality potting soil. Sowing can be done in March, inside the house or in a heated greenhouse, to give the plants a good start.
It is important to maintain a constant temperature of around 20°C and to water the plants well and regularly, without drowning them. Also make sure that the pots are placed in a bright, draught-free area.
It's important to maintain a constant temperature of around 20°C.
Once the plants have developed several leaves and there is no risk of frost, they can be transplanted into the ground, in soil previously enriched with compost. Remember to space the plants about 80 cm apart to give them enough room to grow.
Can courgettes be sown outdoors?
To sow courgettes outdoors, it is advisable to do so in spring, once there is no risk of frost. First prepare the soil by weeding it and working it deep to aerate it. Courgettes like rich soil, so incorporate compost or well-decomposed manure.
Zucchini seeds should be sown about 2-3 cm deep and spaced about 1 metre apart. Be sure to water them regularly, especially during dry spells, while avoiding wetting the leaves to limit the risk of disease.
It's important to keep an eye on weeds and remove them regularly to prevent them competing with courgettes for nutrients. Courgettes are water-hungry plants, so make sure you keep the soil always moist, but not soggy.
How do I plant courgettes?
To grow courgettes in the ground, it's important to choose a sunny, well-drained location. The ideal time to plant courgette seeds is in spring once all risk of frost has passed. We recommend sowing the seeds directly in the ground to a depth of around 2 to 3 cm and spacing the plants around 80 cm apart. Make sure you water the courgettes regularly, but avoid wetting the leaves to reduce the risk of disease. Courgettes thrive in soil rich in organic matter, so we recommend enriching the soil with compost before planting. It is also important to hoe the soil around the plants regularly to prevent weeds from proliferating. Finally, you can add a layer of mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and limit watering. By following these simple tips, you'll be able to harvest beautiful, tasty courgettes all summer long.
How do I harvest courgettes?
To harvest courgettes, it is important to harvest them when they are young and still tender, generally when they are no more than 15 cm tall. This rule applies throughout the growing season, which runs from May to September.
To harvest a courgette, use a sharp knife to cut it cleanly from the plant, taking care not to damage the main stem. It's best to harvest courgettes regularly to encourage continuous production. Once harvested, courgettes can be kept in the fridge for about a week. If you have a bumper crop, you can also freeze them for later use.
Courgette
- Type : Vegetables
- Subtype : Fruiting vegetables
- Botanical Family : Cucurbits
Characteristics
- Lifecycle : Annual
- Exposure : Full Sun
- Frost Hardiness : Frost Sensitive
- Cultivation Difficulty : Easy
- Adult Height : 60 cm
Sowing & Planting
- Greenhouse Growing : Not Required
- Sowing Depth : 2 cm
- Plant Spacing : 100 cm
- Row Spacing : 100 cm
Maintenance
- Maintenance : Moderate
- Water Requirements : High
Seeds
- Soil Type : Humus-rich
- Soil pH Preference : Neutral
- Pest Sensitivity : Moderate
- Disease Sensitivity : Moderate
- Weed Sensitivity : Moderate
- Pollination : Insect-pollinated
- Propagation : Sowing