Courgettes in Manchester
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.
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Courgette
Planting Calendar
Sow Seeds Indoors
22 Mar – 29 MarSow one seed on its edge in a small pot of warm compost around 22nd March - 29th March. Keep the compost just moist and do not sow earlier, because seedlings grow fast and can become root-bound if left too long.
Pot On Seedlings
8 Apr – 22 AprWhen 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 8th April to 22nd April.
Harden Off Plants
12 Apr – 26 AprAcclimatise plants outdoors over about 10 days from 12th April to 26th April. 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.
Transplant Outdoors
26 Apr – 10 MayPlant into rich soil or a prepared mound around 26th April - 10th May 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.
Water and Feed
17 Jun – 6 Octevery weekFrom 17th June to 6th 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.
Harvest Courgettes
7 Jun – 6 Octevery 3 daysPick fruits from 7th June to 6th 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.
Related Plants
Explore similar plants you might like
Basil
Basil is a fragrant, tender herb whose leaves are a staple of summer cooking. Native to tropical regions, basil is treated as an annual in temperate climates like the UK because it cannot tolerate frost. It thrives in warm, sunny conditions and can be grown in garden beds or pots for a steady supply of fresh, flavourful leaves throughout the summer.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a hardy winter brassica (cabbage family) that form sturdy, leafy stems often around 60–90cm tall. They produce edible mini-cabbage buds along the stem from autumn through winter. Thanks to their cold tolerance, sprouts remain productive into late winter, and frost actually improves their sweetness.
Calabrese
Calabrese (broccoli) produces a large central head of tightly-packed green buds, followed by smaller side-shoots after the main head is cut. It’s a cool-season brassica crop. Grow it in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and keep plants watered during dry spells. Harvest the heads while firm, then leave the stem in the ground to allow side-shoots to develop.