When to plant Courgettes in the UK

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
Sow indoors May, plant out June, harvest July to October.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow indoorsNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Plant outNoNoNoNoNoYesNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds Indoors

    early May UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Sow one seed on its edge in a small pot of warm compost around early 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

    mid-May to early June UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    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 mid-May to early June.

  3. 03

    Harden Off Plants

    late May to mid-June UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Acclimatise plants outdoors from late May to mid-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

    mid-June to late June UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Plant into rich soil around mid-June to late June, once frost risk has passed and the soil is warm. Water in, keep the stem base slightly raised, and space plants apart.

  5. 05

    Water and Feed

    mid-July to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 2 weeks

    From mid-July to late 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.

  6. 06

    Harvest Courgettes

    mid-July to early October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 3 days

    Cut courgettes from mid-July to early 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

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.