Black Beauty
A reliable green courgette with good cropping and a classic straight fruit shape.
When to plant Courgettes in Birmingham
Cucurbita pepo
A tender summer crop for the UK. Sow indoors in warmth, plant out after the last frost into rich, moisture-retentive soil, and keep picking young fruits to keep plants productive.
60 cm · Full Sun · High Water
Calibrated to Birmingham · last frost ≈ 27 Apr
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow indoors | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Plant out | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
01
Sow Seeds Indoors
27 Apr to 4 MaySow one seed on its edge in a small pot of warm compost around 27th April - 4th May. Keep the compost just moist and do not sow earlier, because seedlings grow fast and can become root-bound if left too long.
02
Pot On Seedlings
11 May to 1 Jun Dates as each sowing reaches this stageWhen the first true leaves are formed, move each seedling into a larger pot so roots have room to develop. Handle them gently and keep them in good light from 11th May to 1st June.
03
Harden Off Plants
25 May to 8 JunAcclimatise plants outdoors from 25th May to 8th June. Start in a sheltered spot by day and bring them in at night, then leave them out longer each day until they cope with full outdoor conditions.
04
Transplant Outdoors
8 Jun to 22 JunPlant into rich soil around 8th June - 22nd June, once frost risk has passed and the soil is warm. Water in, keep the stem base slightly raised, and space plants apart.
05
Water and Feed
13 Jul to 30 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeksFrom 13th July to 30th October, keep the soil moist by watering at the base. Once the first fruits swell, feed container plants with a high-potassium liquid fertiliser every 14 days. Plants in rich ground rarely need routine feeding.
06
Harvest Courgettes
13 Jul to 16 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 3 daysCut courgettes from 13th July to 16th October while they are long and still tender. Pick every few days to keep the plant producing.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Courgette to consider
Defender
A popular early, productive hybrid that crops well in UK summers.
Tondo di Piacenza
A round-fruited type that’s handy for stuffing or small harvests.
Astra Polka
A pale-skinned variety with attractive mottling and steady yields.
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