Crops › Courgette
How to grow Courgette
in the UK
Sow April, plant out May to June, harvest July to October. About 55 days from seed to plate.
Courgettes, eh? Proper cracking things for the plot, especially if you're just starting out. They're dead easy to grow and give you loads of fruit, mind, so make sure you've got room for 'em, or you'll be giving them away to every neighbour.
Sowing
Right, so you'll want to get your courgettes going indoors around April, especially up here in the North East. Pop a seed about 2.5 centimetres deep into a small pot of compost; they like it warm, around 18-21 degrees Celsius, so a windowsill or propagator is grand. Some varieties, like those Tromboncino, you can sow direct into the ground a bit later in May once the soil's warmed up properly, but for most, starting indoors gives them a good head start, you know what I mean.
Growing on
Once your little plants are looking strong and the risk of frost has well and truly passed – usually mid to late May for us up here, maybe earlier down south – it's time to get 'em out. Give them a good hardening off first, mind, gradually getting them used to the outside. Plant them out about 90 centimetres apart; they do spread out a bit, so give 'em space. If you're growing in pots, make sure they're big ones, like 45-litre, and pick a variety that's bred for containers.
Looking after it
Courgettes are thirsty things, especially once they start fruiting, so keep them well watered, particularly in dry spells. A good mulch around the base helps keep that moisture in and keeps the weeds down too. Like I say, feed 'em a bit with a general liquid feed every couple of weeks when they're really going for it, it helps them keep producing all season long.
What goes wrong
Slugs are the main enemy, to be honest, they proper love young courgette plants, so keep an eye out and use whatever method works for you – beer traps or a few organic pellets. Aphids can sometimes be a bother too; just squish 'em off or give them a good spray of soapy water. Cucumber mosaic virus can hit them, causing mottled leaves and stunted growth, but some varieties are resistant, so that's something to think about.
Harvest
You'll be picking courgettes from July right through to October, about 55 days after sowing. The key is to harvest them regularly when they're small, around 15-20 centimetres. If you let them get too big, they go a bit watery and stop producing as many new fruits. Just twist or cut them from the plant. They'll keep in the fridge for about a week, or you can grate 'em and freeze 'em for later.
Honestly, check your plants every single day once they start fruiting, because those little beggars can turn into marrows overnight if you're not careful, and then you've missed the best eating.
Dates for your plot
Type the first half of your postcode and the plant-out advice shifts to your area's typical frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Defender F1 A cracking choice if you've had trouble with diseases before, giving you reliable yields of green courgettes. Great for peace of mind on the plot. | No club votes yet |
| Black Beauty This one's a proper stalwart, the traditional type most folk think of when you say courgette. It's a dependable performer for any plot. | No club votes yet |
| Gold Rush F1 If you fancy something a bit different and bright on your plate, this golden yellow one is lovely. It really stands out in the garden too. | No club votes yet |
| Romanesco A bit fancy, this one, with its distinctive ribbed fruits and a really good flavour. Worth a go if you want something a bit special for your cooking. | No club votes yet |
| Eight Ball F1 These little round fellas are brilliant for stuffing or just a bit of fun in the kitchen. They're pretty compact too, so good for smaller spots. | No club votes yet |
| Patio Star F1 Just like it says on the tin, this one's bred for containers and won't take over your whole patio. Ideal if you're short on ground space. | No club votes yet |
| Tromboncino Now this is an interesting one, it climbs and gives you these long, curved fruits. Great if you want to grow something up a trellis or support. | No club votes yet |
| Atena Polka F1 Another cracking choice for pots and smaller spaces, giving you plenty of golden fruits without sprawling everywhere. Dead productive for its size. | No club votes yet |
| Patriot F1 If you're keen to get your first courgettes as soon as possible, this early variety is a good bet. Plus, it's got good disease resistance, which is always a bonus. | No club votes yet |
| Cocozelle This heritage Italian variety has lovely green and yellow striped fruits with a really nice flavour. A good one for adding a bit of visual interest to your plate. | No club votes yet |
| Zephyr F1 A beautiful looking courgette, yellow at one end fading to green at the other. It's got a lovely nutty flavour too, proper tasty. | No club votes yet |
| Partenon F1 This one's a bit clever, producing only female flowers, which means more fruit for you without any fuss. A cracking choice for reliable, heavy crops. | No club votes yet |
| Shooting Star F1 Another good option if you're eager for an early harvest, giving you pale green fruits. It's a reliable and quick producer. | No club votes yet |
| Costata Romanesco This is a top-notch heritage variety with distinct ribs and a truly excellent, nutty flavour. Proper Italian quality, worth the effort for the taste alone. | No club votes yet |
| One Ball F1 Similar to the Eight Ball, but this one gives you lovely golden, round fruits. Another fun one for the kids or for stuffing. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Courgette seeds
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Cook the harvest
A summery American-inspired succotash that makes the most of courgettes and fresh corn at their seasonal peak. The courgettes are diced small and cooked until just tender, and the whole thing is finished with a knob of smoked butter that gives the dish a depth that belies how quickly it comes together. Eat it as a vivid, colourful side dish or spoon it over griddled chicken or fish.
25 min · easyCourgettes cut into thick batons take on a stir-fry beautifully — they stay firm with a slight bite and soak up the savoury, garlicky oyster sauce. Prawns cook in minutes and add sweetness that plays brilliantly against the heat of the chilli. This comes together in under 20 minutes and tastes like it took considerably longer.
20 min · easySpiralised courgette stands in for half the noodles here, soaking up a deeply savoury miso and ginger broth that comes together in under thirty minutes. The courgette ribbons stay just tender enough to hold their shape in the bowl, giving you real substance without any heaviness. It is the kind of weeknight supper that genuinely surprises you.
28 min · easyA deeply satisfying, North African-inspired soup that makes courgettes taste genuinely exciting. The cumin and coriander give it real warmth, blending half the soup keeps it thick and hearty, and the chickpeas make it substantial enough to be a proper meal. It is the recipe that converts courgette sceptics.
40 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: beans, sweetcorn, nasturtium
Questions people ask
When do you sow Courgette in the UK?
Sow Courgette from April. Plant out May to June, after the last frost.
How long does Courgette take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 55 days, with the harvest July to October.
Which Courgette varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Defender F1, Black Beauty, Gold Rush F1, Romanesco and more.
Track your Courgette from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.