Courgettes & Squashes

These belong to the gourd/cucumber group.

Courgettes (immature marrows) have become very popular, as they taste a lot better and they have firmer flesh. They're not that difficult to grow if you take proper care of them, grow a bush rather than a trailing one if you don't have much space.

Sowing the seeds

To sow these seeds pick out a sunny spot that is sheltered from strong winds as these are not hardy plants.

You need well-drained, humus-rich soil, and soak the seeds overnight before you start.

Dig a few holes twelve inches deep and twelve inches across, fill them with compost or rotted manure and soil, leaving a small mound at the top and spread some fertiliser over the surface.

Leave 48 inches between trailing varieties as they like a lot of space, and 24 inches between bush varieties.

Sow seeds in late May or early June, and the first courgettes should be ready in July. Cover seedlings with cloches for a few weeks if you live in Northern areas or the Midlands.

Sow two seeds about an inch deep and three inches apart at roughly the centre of each mound. When leaves appear discard the weakest looking plant.

The average germination time of these seeds is five to eight days if you cover them with a cloche or ten to fourteen if left to germinate in the open.

Alternatively, you can germinate the seeds indoors in a pot of compost. Keep the temperature at 65 degrees until they germinate and slowly harden off the seedlings before exposing them to outdoor life in pockets.

When the shoots of trailing varieties get to about two feet long, pinch out the tips of the main ones. Keep the soil nice and moist, and liberally water around the plants, but not directly over them. Keep a sharp watch for slugs as they really enjoy marrows!

It is not usually necessary to pollinate the crop - but if you only have a few plants, it is cold and damp or there are no pollinating insects about, this is easily done. Pick a large male flower(these have thin stalks) and place it in the centre of a female flower (these are easily recognized as they have an embryo marrow behind the flower).

To grow large pumpkins allow only two fruits to develop on each plant, water and fertilise regularly.

If the weather is cold and damp place a plastic sheet under the developing fruit to prevent rotting and slug damage.

To harvest courgettes - pick at about four inches long, leave marrows until they are about ten to twelve inches in length depending upon the variety you have chosen.

The regular removal of the fruits will encourage the plant to continue producing flowers and prolong their season.

Fruits required for winter storage should be left to mature on the plant and removed in early October before the frost.

Store by hanging individually in net bags in a cool dry place and they should keep until the New Year.

There are numerous varieties of marrows and squashes so be guided by those you prefer to eat, the ‘spaghetti ‘ is popular with children who like to grow their own pasta!