stoice Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Right. I'm going to give growing courgettes a go. I've never grown them before (Only our second year with a garden) so just had a few questions. • Are they ok to start off in pots or do they prefer to start out in the ground where I want them? • Am I right in saying the seeds should go point down on their edge to stop rot? (Been trying to read up on courgettes so I hope somethings are staying in my brain!) • I've heard they are really thirsty so have a spot in the ground in my garden lined up for them and have also heard a 'well' or 'moat' arround the plant is a good idea to collect more water - is this correct? • Do slugs and snails like them? • What (if any) fertiliser is best for them and when should I add it? When the fruits appear? Is ok to dig in home made - hen assisted - compost as I plant them? • What is their habit? I mean, do I have to tie them to canes or let them sprawl? Should I prune or pinch out anything to aid fruiting? • Lastly, the only space I have for them is right next to my chickens run, are the leaves ok if they nibbled round the edges? I wouldn't want to poison my chooks! Phew, loads of questions! Thanks for your time. If you know anything else about them I should know that would be great. Stacey xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Right. I'm going to give growing courgettes a go.I've never grown them before (Only our second year with a garden) so just had a few questions. • Are they ok to start off in pots or do they prefer to start out in the ground where I want them?yep, start them in pots, I sowed some last week and they are up already • Am I right in saying the seeds should go point down on their edge to stop rot? (Been trying to read up on courgettes so I hope somethings are staying in my brain!)Sow on their side, pointed end on the side if that makes sense as it is said to deter rot - although I have never had a seed rot and only started 'side planting' this year • I've heard they are really thirsty so have a spot in the ground in my garden lined up for them and have also heard a 'well' or 'moat' arround the plant is a good idea to collect more water - is this correct?Dig in plenty of well rotten manure or compost before planting, as they are thirsty plants - a moat or plant pot buried next to the plant is helpful when watering • Do slugs and snails like them?I am quite lucky and have few slugs/snsils here - like any young plant, best to protect it when young • What (if any) fertiliser is best for them and when should I add it? When the fruits appear? Is ok to dig in home made - hen assisted - compost as I plant them?If you have dug in plenty of compost before, adding extra fertiliser shouldn't be necessary, although I do add some liquid tomato feed or seaweed solution every couple of weeks. • What is their habit? I mean, do I have to tie them to canes or let them sprawl? Should I prune or pinch out anything to aid fruiting? Depends on the type, although most do sprawl, no pinching out is needed, but pick the courgettes when they about 10cm and quite small - they taste better and it encourages more fruit. • Lastly, the only space I have for them is right next to my chickens run, are the leaves ok if they nibbled round the edges? I wouldn't want to poison my chooks!Pretty sure the leaves aren't poisonous, although they can be quite spiky underneath. My courgettes were next to the chicken area last year and they didn't go near them. Phew, loads of questions! Thanks for your time. If you know anything else about them I should know that would be great. Stacey xxx Have fun with them, you will be sick of courgettes by August! I have 8 plants and am not sure what to do with them all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 They seem to grow like weeds so I'm sure you won't have any problems - apart from what to do with a million courgettes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted May 1, 2009 Author Share Posted May 1, 2009 Cool, thanks for the info. There's only two of us and we only have room for two plants which, from what I gather, will provide plenty of courgettes. My girls will get any left overs anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 I've been taking notes from this post . I planted 6 seeds (on their sides!) about 8 or 9 days ago and have 2 up and out already and another one just peeking . (I plan to give 3 to my school as we'd have trouble eating them all - my kids don't like them .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted May 1, 2009 Author Share Posted May 1, 2009 Different Mutley ANH? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Yes, there were a couple of posts from people saying the movement makes them feel queasy . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 Some people have previously queried why sometimes the young courgette starts to rot from the flower end. I did find the answer to this and from memory I think it was down to poor pollination. If you have an old eyeshadow brush or paintbrush you could hand pollinate from the male to the female flowers. Courgettes often produce lots of male flowers before the female ones come along. Male flowers just have a stalk, female flowers have a swelling which becomes the courgette. I love courgettes! I sowed 2 Diamant and 2 Black Beauty last night (in pots). I've ordered some Bambino, but haven't received them yet. I'm hoping to have enough flowers to be able to stuff them with ricotta and deep fry in a light batter. Fiori di Zucca. I would also like to make a courgette chocolate cake this year (if I am lucky enough to have a glut!) On a slightly different topic. I have a cucumber seedling with one pair of true leaves and a flower bud! How strange is that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchens Posted May 1, 2009 Share Posted May 1, 2009 I too was reading up on Courgettes last night (I love my Carol Klein book) I know I should get out more ... but she was saying that if you plant them directly into the ground they usually overtake and do better than ones started off in a pot .... so if you don't have the time or space to raise in pots bung in 3 seeds where you want one plant and when they come through pick the best one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I planted some seeds but also was given 2 plants from a client - they are flowering and I can see one courgette growing amongst the flowers - they are in the greenhouse. Wow early courgettes for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I'm still waiting for my courgette seeds to germinate. The seed was old so I may have to buy a new packet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 They certainly dont like the weather we are having this weekend cold and dull and need the sunshine in my greenhouse for things to move now - the tomatoes are so so small compared to what they should be and the chilli seeds are up but sitting doing nothing at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 You can blame me Susan for the weather. Andy fitted an automatic opener on the greenhouse window yesterday, we are still waiting for the window to open Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I have 8 normal ones coming up (in pots in the greenhouse) plus 3 of a round yellow variety Courgette cake sounds promising Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 So you are the one to blame for the cold weather Ali - hope it improves soon as really chilly to-day too. I have a blasted slug trail in the green house and its eating courgette leaves I have a beer trap sunk into the ground and its not doing its job - it got 1 slug and 1 slater and 2 beetles (sigh) the first night and nothing since - rubbish it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted May 5, 2009 Author Share Posted May 5, 2009 Copper tape is quite effective against slugs Susan. stick some around their pots or form a 'cuff' around the stem of plants in the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 Thanks for that I will try and source some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoebe Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 I am just growing 2 plants this year as they are so productive, any more and you get swamped by them. Courgette cake is good - I have a recipe fora chocolate one which we used when I mistakenly raised 12 plants one year I find they dont rot as long as you take the flowers off the ends of the fruits as soon as they are an inch or so long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 7, 2009 Share Posted May 7, 2009 I find they dont rot as long as you take the flowers off the ends of the fruits as soon as they are an inch or so long. That's interesting! - I didn't know that. Make sure you post the Chocolate Courgette Cake in the All Things Nice section - for those of us who have grown 12 (or more ) plants! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
