Courgettes in Forhill

Cucurbita pepo

Courgette
Courgette · 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

Add to garden

Calibrated to Forhill · last frost ≈ 9 May

Sow indoors April, plant out May to June, harvest July to October. Frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNo

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Courgette

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Indoors

    18 Apr to 25 Apr

    Sow one seed on its edge in a small pot of warm compost around 18th April - 25th April. Keep the compost just moist and do not sow earlier, because seedlings grow fast and can become root-bound if left too long.

  2. 02

    Pot On Seedlings

    5 May to 19 May

    When 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 5th May to 19th May.

  3. 03

    Harden Off Plants

    9 May to 23 May

    Acclimatise plants outdoors over about 10 days from 9th May to 23rd May. 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.

  4. 04

    Transplant Outdoors

    23 May to 6 Jun

    Plant into rich soil or a prepared mound around 23rd May - 6th June once frost risk has passed. Water in thoroughly straight after planting, keep the stem base slightly raised above the surrounding soil, and space plants apart.

  5. 05

    Water and Feed

    14 Jul to 15 Oct every week

    From 14th July to 15th October, water deeply at the soil rather than over the leaves, and avoid soaking the main stem. Begin feeding with a high-potash liquid feed once the first fruits set, then repeat every 7 days while plants are cropping.

  6. 06

    Harvest Courgettes

    4 Jul to 15 Oct every 3 days

    Pick fruits from 4th July to 15th October while they are small and tender, ideally when they are long. Harvest often, because regular picking keeps the plant producing for longer.

Companion plants

Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Courgette.

Good companions

Plants to avoid

Why companion planting matters

Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Courgette to consider

Black Beauty

A reliable green courgette with good cropping and a classic straight fruit shape.

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.

Courgette guides by town

See how Courgette timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.