Black Beauty
A reliable green courgette with good cropping and a classic straight fruit shape.
When to plant Courgettes in Stirling
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
Calibrated to Stirling · last frost ≈ 1 May
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow indoors | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Plant out | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
01
Sow Seeds Indoors
1 May to 8 MaySow one seed on its edge in a small pot of warm compost around 1st May - 8th May. Keep the compost just moist and do not sow earlier, because seedlings grow fast and can become root-bound if left too long.
02
Pot On Seedlings
15 May to 5 Jun Dates as each sowing reaches this stageWhen 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 15th May to 5th June.
03
Harden Off Plants
29 May to 12 JunAcclimatise plants outdoors from 29th May to 12th 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.
04
Transplant Outdoors
12 Jun to 26 JunPlant into rich soil around 12th June - 26th June, once frost risk has passed and the soil is warm. Water in, keep the stem base slightly raised, and space plants apart.
05
Water and Feed
17 Jul to 17 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeksFrom 17th July to 17th October, 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.
06
Harvest Courgettes
17 Jul to 3 Oct Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 3 daysCut courgettes from 17th July to 3rd 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
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.
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