When to Plant Courgettes

Courgettes are a fast-growing and high-yielding crop, popular with home gardeners across the UK. Getting the timing right when planting courgettes is essential for a healthy, productive season. Whether growing from seed or buying young plants, warm conditions and proper soil preparation are crucial.

What is the Best Time of Year to Plant Courgettes

In the UK, the best time to plant courgettes outdoors is from late May to early June, once the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. Seeds can be started indoors as early as April and transplanted outside after hardening off. Courgettes are frost-sensitive, so avoid planting too early in the season.

How to Grow Courgettes

Courgettes grow best in a sunny, sheltered position with fertile, moisture-retentive soil. Before planting, enrich the soil with compost or well-rotted manure. They require plenty of space, so leave around 90cm between plants to allow for spreading growth and good air circulation.

Growing Courgettes from Seed

To get a head start, sow courgette seeds indoors in pots from mid to late April. Use a good quality compost and sow the seeds on their side to reduce the risk of rotting. Keep them in a warm spot until they germinate, then grow them on in bright conditions until they’re ready for planting out in late May or early June.

Growing Courgettes in Containers

Courgettes can thrive in large containers if well fed and watered. Choose a pot at least 45cm wide and deep, filled with rich compost. Compact varieties are best suited to container growing. Keep the soil consistently moist and feed regularly with a high-potash fertiliser once fruits begin to form.

Caring for Your Courgette Crop

Regular watering is vital, especially during dry spells. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, which can encourage fungal diseases. As the plants grow, remove any competing weeds and mulch to retain moisture. Feed weekly once the flowers appear to support steady fruiting.

Pests and Diseases

Courgettes are prone to issues like powdery mildew, especially in dry or crowded conditions. Maintain good airflow and water consistently to reduce stress. Slugs and snails often target young plants, so protect them with physical barriers or traps. Aphids may also appear but can usually be managed with regular checks and removal.

How to Harvest Courgettes

Courgettes are best picked when they’re young and tender, around 10–15cm long. Regular harvesting encourages more fruit production. If left too long, they can become large and watery, reducing quality and yield. Use a sharp knife to cut the fruit cleanly from the stem to avoid damaging the plant.

How to Store Courgettes

Freshly harvested courgettes can be kept in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, they can be sliced and frozen, although their texture may soften. They’re best eaten fresh but can also be used in soups, sauces or baking to reduce waste.

How to Save Courgette Seeds

To save seeds, allow a courgette to fully ripen and mature on the plant until the skin hardens. Scoop out the seeds, wash off the pulp, and dry them thoroughly. Store in a cool, dry place in a paper envelope. Keep in mind that many courgettes are hybrids, so saved seeds may not grow true to type.

Preparation for Growing Courgettes

Courgettes are hungry plants, so preparing the soil is essential. Dig in organic matter such as compost or manure in early spring to improve fertility and drainage. Raised beds work well, especially in colder areas where the soil warms more quickly. Ensure the site gets at least six hours of sun per day for strong growth.

Courgettes are a warm-season crop, so soil temperature and weather conditions are key when deciding when to plant. In the UK, soil should consistently reach at least 15°C before courgettes are planted out. If the soil is too cold or the weather unsettled, the plants may stall or become stressed, making them more vulnerable to pests and diseases.

While it’s tempting to rush the process, especially during a mild spring, planting courgettes too early often leads to setbacks. Cold snaps, wind, or late frosts can damage young plants or kill them entirely. It’s better to wait a week or two longer than to risk planting when conditions are not yet stable.

Using cloches or cold frames can help extend the growing season slightly by warming the soil and protecting young plants. These can be placed over planting areas a couple of weeks before transplanting to give courgettes the best start. This is especially helpful in northern parts of the UK where spring arrives later.

Hardening off courgette plants before moving them outdoors is also crucial. If you've started them inside, they need to be gradually introduced to outdoor conditions over seven to ten days. This helps them adjust to temperature swings, wind, and sunlight without going into shock.

For those in cooler or more exposed areas, growing courgettes in growbags, raised beds or large containers can be beneficial. These warm up faster than open ground and allow you to move the plants into sheltered spots if needed.

If you're aiming for the earliest possible harvest, indoor sowing in April followed by outdoor transplanting in late May is the most reliable method. For those with less time or space, sowing directly outdoors in early June can still yield a good crop, though with a slightly later harvest.

Want to turn this into a follow-up article on “How to Start Courgettes Early in the UK” or something seasonal like “Late Planted Courgettes: Still Worth It?”