Courgettes in Newtonmore

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 Newtonmore · last frost ≈ 5 Jun

Sow indoors May, plant out June to July, harvest July to September. Frost risk September to June.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNo

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Courgette

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Indoors

    15 May to 22 May

    Sow one seed on its edge in a small pot of warm compost around 15th May - 22nd May. 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 Jun to 15 Jun

    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 June to 15th June.

  3. 03

    Harden Off Plants

    5 Jun to 19 Jun

    Acclimatise plants outdoors over about 10 days from 5th June to 19th 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.

  4. 04

    Transplant Outdoors

    19 Jun to 3 Jul

    Plant into rich soil or a prepared mound around 19th June - 3rd July 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

    10 Aug to 10 Sept every week

    From 10th August to 10th September, 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

    31 Jul to 10 Sept every 3 days

    Pick fruits from 31st July to 10th September 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.