Courgettes trying to grow own veg

[Bluelady-sing]

What should I do need

[Whydothis]

My way of growing them - mix a generous amount of compost with the soil when you plant them out (not yet - when the roots are big enough to bring the compost out of the pot in one piece) - and then keep them well watered, especially once they start flowering. Cut them small to encourage more flowers to come.I love my home-grown courgettes - I eat them sliced as salad when they are little, and then roast them or mix them into stewy things as they grow. I freeze the surplus and although they come out wet and mushy, they add veg and flavour to any sauce based dishes in the winter.

[Cooper27 Administrator]

Courgettes need quite a bit of space to grow, so don't plant it out too close to anything else.

Also just be wary of slugs (get repellant) and squirrels! They will eat your courgettes.

[Bluelady-sing in reply to Cooper27]

How will I know when ready to pick

[Cooper27 Administrator in reply to Bluelady-sing]

Just wait until it's the size you want it to be - they can get pretty huge if you let them. Don't forget to check under leaves for any too. I didn't check my first year, and one windy day, I found one the bigger my forearm had been hiding!

[Cooper27 Administrator in reply to Bluelady-sing]

By the way, I read you should not retain any seeds from your courgettes for next year. There's a knack to harvesting them, but if you get it wrong, you can make yourself ill.

[Bluelady-sing in reply to Cooper27]

The seeds left over in the packet?

[Cooper27 Administrator in reply to Bluelady-sing]

No, I mean you can't harvest seeds from the fruit you grow to use next year - it can make you quite ill.

[Bluelady-sing]

Thanks

[kitchengardener2]

Wait until you have a few proper leaves before planting out. You can grow up canes which helps prevent slugs damaging. Here is one of mine.

[PhilFreeToAsk]

Courgettes like a rich soil. I think it is great that you are growing food for yourself. As you are starting off from seed indoors, try sowing earlier next year. That way you will get a longer cropping period and a greater return for your efforts.

If your plants are weak when you plant out then they are more likely to get damaged. Make your plants strong and healthy with a good root system. If you are thinking of slug repellants then choose wisely so that wildlife is not harmed. Happy growing and happy eating.