Courgettes in Padstow

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 Padstow · last frost ≈ 25 Mar

Sow indoors March, plant out April, harvest May to November. Frost risk November to March.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNo

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Courgette

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Indoors

    4 Mar to 11 Mar

    Sow one seed on its edge in a small pot of warm compost around 4th March - 11th March. 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

    21 Mar to 4 Apr

    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 21st March to 4th April.

  3. 03

    Harden Off Plants

    25 Mar to 8 Apr

    Acclimatise plants outdoors over about 10 days from 25th March to 8th 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.

  4. 04

    Transplant Outdoors

    8 Apr to 22 Apr

    Plant into rich soil or a prepared mound around 8th April - 22nd April 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

    30 May to 23 Nov every week

    From 30th May to 23rd November, 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

    20 May to 23 Nov every 3 days

    Pick fruits from 20th May to 23rd November 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.