Courgettes are one of the highest-yielding and most generous allotment crops — a single healthy plant can produce dozens of fruits over the summer. They’re ideal for beginners, grow quickly, and thrive in both the ground and large containers.

This guide covers everything you need to know: how to grow courgettes from seed or plug plants, when to plant, spacing, watering and feeding, pests and diseases, containers vs ground growing, and proven ways to boost yields.

🌱 1. Ways to Grow Courgettes

🌰 Growing Courgettes from Seed (Most Common)

The cheapest and most reliable method.

Pros

• Easy to germinate

• Huge variety choice

• Strong plants

Cons

• Need protection from frost when young

🌱 Courgette Plug Plants

Young plants bought ready-grown.

Pros

• Faster start

• Good for late planting or short seasons

Cons

• More expensive

• Limited variety choice

👉 Both methods work well — healthy plants matter more than how they start.

🗓️ 2. When to Sow & Plant Courgettes

Courgettes are tender and hate frost.

From Seed

• Sow indoors: April

• Sow outdoors: Late May–June (after last frost)

Plug Plants

• Plant outdoors: Late May–June

Soil should be warm before planting. Cold soil causes slow growth and rot.

🌾 3. How to Grow Courgettes in the Ground

Spacing (Very Important)

Courgettes need space.

• Plant spacing: 75–90cm between plants

• Row spacing: 90cm

Crowded plants:

• produce fewer fruits

• suffer more disease

Planting Method

• Dig a generous hole

• Add compost or well-rotted manure

• Plant at same depth as pot

• Water well

Courgettes love rich, moisture-retentive soil.

🪴 4. Growing Courgettes in Containers

Courgettes grow very well in containers if size is sufficient.

Container Requirements

• Minimum size: 30–40 litres

• One plant per pot

• Use high-quality compost

Extra care needed

• Water daily in hot weather

• Feed regularly

Containers dry out faster — consistency is key.

💧 5. Watering Courgettes (Critical for Success)

Courgettes are thirsty plants.

Best Practice

• Water deeply at the base

• Keep soil evenly moist

• Mulch to reduce evaporation

Inconsistent watering leads to:

• poor fruit set

• bitter courgettes

• flower drop

Avoid watering leaves to reduce disease.

🌿 6. Feeding Courgettes

Courgettes are heavy feeders.

Feeding Schedule

• Add compost/manure at planting

• Start liquid feeding once flowers appear

• Feed weekly during heavy cropping

Best feeds:

• general-purpose liquid feed

• tomato feed once fruiting begins

🌼 7. Flowers, Pollination & Fruit Set

Courgette plants produce:

• Male flowers (long thin stems)

• Female flowers (small courgette behind flower)

Poor fruiting often comes from:

• lack of pollinators

• cold or wet weather

Tip:
Hand-pollinate by transferring pollen from male to female flower with a small brush.

🐛 8. Common Pests & Diseases

Pests

• Slugs & snails: attack young plants

• Aphids: cluster on soft growth

Control

• Protect young plants early

• Encourage predators

• Use barriers rather than sprays

Diseases

Powdery Mildew (Most Common)

Symptoms

• White powdery coating on leaves

Causes

• Dry roots

• Poor airflow

Prevention

• Consistent watering

• Good spacing

• Remove badly affected leaves

🧺 9. Harvesting Courgettes (For Maximum Yield)

Harvest Little & Often

• Pick courgettes at 10–20cm long

• Harvest every 2–3 days

Leaving fruits to grow large:

• reduces total yield

• stresses the plant

Use a sharp knife — don’t twist stems.

🌾 10. How to Improve Courgette Yields

What really works:

• generous spacing

• rich soil

• consistent watering

• regular feeding

• frequent harvesting

One neglected plant can stop producing quickly — attention pays off.

⚡ Quick Courgette Growing Tips

• One or two plants is enough for most households

• Mulch heavily once soil warms

• Remove damaged leaves to improve airflow

• Courgettes freeze well when sliced

Photo by Eugene Golovesov on Unsplash