When to plant Courgettes in Manchester

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 Manchester · last frost ≈ 17 Apr

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

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Indoors

    17 Apr to 24 Apr

    Sow one seed on its edge in a small pot of warm compost around 17th April - 24th 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

    1 May to 22 May Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    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 1st May to 22nd May.

  3. 03

    Harden Off Plants

    15 May to 29 May

    Acclimatise plants outdoors from 15th May to 29th 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

    29 May to 12 Jun

    Plant into rich soil around 29th May - 12th June, once frost risk has passed and the soil is warm. Water in, keep the stem base slightly raised, and space plants apart.

  5. 05

    Water and Feed

    3 Jul to 8 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    From 3rd July to 8th November, 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.

  6. 06

    Harvest Courgettes

    3 Jul to 25 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 3 days

    Cut courgettes from 3rd July to 25th 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

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.