Courgettes in Pencaerau

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 Pencaerau · last frost ≈ 15 Apr

Sow indoors March to April, plant out April to May, harvest June to November. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesNo

Growing guide

Step-by-step instructions for growing Courgette

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Indoors

    25 Mar to 1 Apr

    Sow one seed on its edge in a small pot of warm compost around 25th March - 1st 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

    11 Apr to 25 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 11th April to 25th April.

  3. 03

    Harden Off Plants

    15 Apr to 29 Apr

    Acclimatise plants outdoors over about 10 days from 15th April to 29th 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

    29 Apr to 13 May

    Plant into rich soil or a prepared mound around 29th April - 13th 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.

  5. 05

    Water and Feed

    20 Jun to 7 Nov every week

    From 20th June to 7th 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

    10 Jun to 7 Nov every 3 days

    Pick fruits from 10th June to 7th 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.