How to grow... Courgette

Rocket Growing Guides

Courgette

Courgettes are unbelievably easy to grow and require minimal effort. You pop them in the ground and they just get on and do their thing, producing plenty for you to harvest fro late summer to late autumn.

  • Planting Tips
  • Growing advice
  • Chef's Corner
Choosing a site for growing veg

The right site

Full sun and plenty of space is important. Courgettes are hungry plants so make sure you dig in plenty of organic fertiliser when you plant them.

growing veg in pots and raised beds

Can be grown in....

These grow well outside, so if you have the space then go for a raised bed or similar, but they will grow well in pots too.

Autumn Winter Large Vegetable Garden

How far apart?

1 metre apart

When your plants arrive....

Your baby plants will arrive carefully packed in straw. They may look a little tired from their travels. This is quite normal but, as soon as possible, carefully unpack them all.

Each type of plant will have an identification label to help you spot which they are. Lay them out into their respective plant types (e.g. lettuce, cauliflower, peas). Then, stand them upright, being especially careful with the ones that aren’t in bio pots. The roots may be dry, so give them all a good drink of water by submerging the roots for a few minutes in a container of clean water.

Now you are ready to plant your Rocket Garden. Try to do this within 24 hours of the arrival of your plants.

Looking after your plants....

Plant them outside when the risk of frost has passed and the weather has warmed up. Until then, keep them in pots under cover.

Courgette

Give them some food

Dig in plenty of organic fertiliser and water thoroughly when you plant them.

Courgette

Water regularly

Water them often and well.

Watch out for....

  • Mildew on the leaves

They're ready to harvest when....

You can easily tell when your courgettes are ready to be harvested by their size. It’s best to harvest them regularly to encourage more to grow, rather than allowing them to turn into marrows.

Storage Tips

Best eaten freshly picked, but they will store for a few days in the fridge.

Ways to cook

One of the best ways to eat courgettes is freshly harvested, sliced and griddled on the barbecue, with a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of chopped chillies and a sprinkle of mint.

Recipe Ideas

Coming soon!

Types to try