If there’s one vegetable that every UK gardener should try growing in their small garden, it’s the courgette (or zucchini, for our American friends). Courgettes are incredibly rewarding to grow, producing bountiful harvests with just a little bit of care and attention. Even better, they thrive in the UK’s temperate climate and can be grown in even the tiniest of spaces—whether in pots on your patio or tucked into a raised bed in your garden.
However, while courgettes are relatively easy to grow, they do come with their own quirks, and knowing how to give them what they need is the key to success. In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about growing courgettes in a small UK garden, from choosing the right variety to dealing with common pests and problems. By the end, you’ll be ready to plant your seeds and enjoy a bumper crop of these versatile veggies.
So, whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, grab your trowel, and let’s dig in!
Why Grow Courgettes?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to grow courgettes, let’s talk about why they’re a fantastic choice for small UK gardens.
1. High Yield
One of the best things about courgettes is that they are incredibly productive. Even just a couple of plants can keep you well-supplied throughout the summer. In fact, many gardeners find themselves in the enviable position of having more courgettes than they know what to do with—cue the endless stream of courgette recipes (hello, courgette cake!).
2. Space Efficiency
Courgettes might look like they need a lot of room with their big leaves and sprawling vines, but they’re actually quite adaptable to small spaces. With the right care and a bit of clever garden design, you can grow courgettes in containers, grow bags, or a small garden bed without sacrificing other plants.
3. Delicious Versatility
Courgettes are a kitchen staple and can be used in everything from stir-fries and soups to pasta dishes and bakes. You can even eat the flowers! Whether you pick them when they’re young and tender or let them grow into larger, firmer vegetables, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy this nutritious veggie.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Courgette Variety
The first step in growing courgettes is picking the right variety for your small garden. Not all courgettes are created equal, and some are better suited to compact spaces than others.
Best Courgette Varieties for Small Gardens:
- ‘Patio Star’: Specifically bred for container gardening, this variety is compact but still produces plenty of delicious, dark green courgettes. It’s ideal if you’re growing courgettes in pots or a small raised bed.
- ‘Astia’: Another great option for small spaces, ‘Astia’ is a bush variety that doesn’t sprawl like some of the other courgette plants. This variety grows well in containers and produces lots of fruit.
- ‘Black Forest’: If you’re really tight on space, consider a climbing courgette variety like ‘Black Forest’. This variety can be trained to grow vertically up a trellis or support, saving valuable ground space.
- ‘Golden Delight’: If you want to add a splash of color to your garden and dinner plate, this compact, bush-type courgette produces bright yellow fruits that are as tasty as they are eye-catching.
Tip: When choosing a courgette variety, look for words like “bush,” “compact,” or “patio” in the description. These varieties are less likely to take over your garden and are better suited for small spaces.
Step 2: Preparing the Soil and Location
Courgettes are hungry plants, so they’ll need rich, fertile soil to thrive. Luckily, preparing the soil in a small garden is relatively simple, and you can even grow courgettes in containers if space is at a premium.
Preparing the Soil in Garden Beds:
- Location: Courgettes need a sunny spot to grow their best. Choose a location that gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight each day. Good air circulation is also important to prevent diseases like powdery mildew.
- Soil Preparation: Courgettes thrive in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Before planting, dig in plenty of well-rotted manure or compost to boost the soil’s fertility. Courgettes also prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0), so test your soil if you’re unsure.
- Spacing: Even bush varieties need a bit of room to spread out. In small garden beds, space your courgette plants about 90cm (3 feet) apart to give them enough room to grow and to ensure good air circulation between plants.
Growing Courgettes in Containers:
- Container Size: Courgettes have relatively shallow roots, but they do need plenty of space for their sprawling growth. Choose a container that’s at least 12-18 inches deep and 18 inches wide for each plant.
- Potting Mix: Use a high-quality, multi-purpose compost mixed with some slow-release fertilizer to give your courgettes the nutrients they need. Make sure the container has good drainage to prevent waterlogging.
- Location: Place your container in the sunniest spot you have—courgettes love warmth! A south-facing patio or balcony is ideal.
Step 3: Sowing and Planting Courgettes
When to Plant:
In the UK, courgettes are typically grown as annuals, and because they’re frost-sensitive, you need to wait until all risk of frost has passed before planting them outdoors. In most parts of the UK, that means planting in late May or early June.
- Starting Indoors: If you want to get a head start, you can sow courgette seeds indoors in pots 3-4 weeks before the last frost date (usually around mid-April). Sow seeds 1cm deep in individual pots of compost, and keep them in a warm place, like a sunny windowsill or a propagator. Once the seedlings have two sets of true leaves and the weather has warmed up, you can harden them off by placing them outside during the day for a week before planting them out.
- Direct Sowing: Alternatively, you can sow courgette seeds directly into the soil or containers after the last frost. Plant the seeds 2-3cm deep and water well.
Planting Out:
Once your seedlings are ready to go outside, it’s time to plant them in their final position.
- Transplanting: If you started your seeds indoors, gently transplant the seedlings into their outdoor positions. Be careful not to disturb the roots too much, as courgettes don’t like being transplanted.
- Mulching: After planting, apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Courgettes are thirsty plants, so keeping the soil evenly moist is key to their success.
Tip: Place a cloche or fleece over young plants to protect them from late frosts or chilly winds in the early part of the season.
Step 4: Caring for Your Courgettes
Watering:
Courgettes are thirsty plants, and they need regular watering—especially when they start producing fruit. Aim to water them deeply 2-3 times a week, rather than giving them a little bit every day. This encourages the roots to grow deeper into the soil, making the plant more resilient.
- Watering Tip: Avoid getting water on the leaves, as wet foliage can lead to diseases like powdery mildew. Water directly at the base of the plant instead.
Feeding:
Courgettes are heavy feeders, and they’ll appreciate a boost of nutrients as they grow.
- Feeding in Beds: Once the courgettes start flowering, give them a weekly feed of a high-potash fertilizer (like tomato feed) to encourage strong fruit production.
- Feeding in Containers: If you’re growing courgettes in pots, they’ll need more regular feeding since nutrients in containers are used up more quickly. A weekly liquid feed of tomato fertilizer will keep them happy and productive.
Pollination:
Courgette plants produce both male and female flowers, and they need insects like bees to transfer pollen from the male flowers to the female flowers in order to set fruit. If your courgettes are producing lots of flowers but no fruit, it might be a pollination problem.
- Manual Pollination: If you notice a lack of pollinators in your garden, you can hand-pollinate the flowers by using a small paintbrush or cotton swab to transfer pollen from the male flowers (which have a straight stem) to the female flowers (which have a tiny courgette at the base).
Step 5: Harvesting Courgettes
When to Harvest:
One of the best things about growing courgettes is that they’re incredibly fast-growing once they start producing fruit. Courgettes can go from a tiny fruit to a full-sized vegetable in just a matter of days, so keep an eye on your plants!
- Ideal Size: Courgettes are best harvested when they’re young and tender, around 10-15cm (4-6 inches) long. If you leave them too long, they can quickly grow into giant marrows—which, while impressive, aren’t quite as tasty as the smaller fruits.
How to Harvest:
Use a sharp knife or pair of scissors to cut the courgette from the plant, making sure to leave a small piece of the stem attached. Harvest regularly to encourage the plant to produce more fruit.
Tip: Courgette plants can be very prolific, so check them daily during peak season to avoid missing any hidden courgettes!
Step 6: Dealing with Common Courgette Problems
While courgettes are generally trouble-free, there are a few common problems that UK gardeners might encounter.
1. Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that often appears as a white, powdery coating on the leaves of courgette plants. It’s usually caused by hot, dry weather combined with high humidity.
- Prevention: Water the plants at their base and avoid getting the leaves wet. Improve air circulation around the plants by spacing them well, and remove any infected leaves promptly.
2. Blossom End Rot
Blossom end rot causes the ends of the courgettes to turn brown and rot. It’s usually the result of inconsistent watering or a lack of calcium in the soil.
- Prevention: Keep the soil consistently moist, and avoid letting the plants dry out between waterings. Mulching around the base of the plants can help retain moisture.
3. Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails love young courgette plants, and they can quickly decimate seedlings if left unchecked.
- Prevention: Use slug pellets or beer traps to keep slugs and snails away from your plants. Copper tape around containers can also help deter these pesky mollusks.
Step 7: Making the Most of Your Courgette Harvest
Once your courgette plants start producing, you’ll probably find yourself with more courgettes than you know what to do with. Fortunately, courgettes are incredibly versatile in the kitchen.
Recipe Ideas:
- Courgette Fritters: Grate your courgettes and mix them with egg, flour, and herbs to create delicious fritters. Fry them until golden brown and serve with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt.
- Stuffed Courgettes: Hollow out larger courgettes and stuff them with a mixture of rice, vegetables, and cheese for a tasty and filling meal.
- Courgette Cake: Yes, you read that right—courgette cake! Similar to carrot cake, this moist and delicious treat is a great way to use up a surplus of courgettes.
- Grilled Courgettes: Slice courgettes lengthwise, drizzle with olive oil, and grill until tender. They make a great side dish for summer barbecues.
Tip: If you can’t keep up with the courgette harvest, you can freeze them! Simply slice them, blanch them in boiling water for a couple of minutes, and freeze them in airtight bags for use later on.
Final Thoughts: Time to Get Growing!
Growing courgettes in a small UK garden is not only possible but incredibly rewarding. With their high yields, adaptability to small spaces, and ease of care, courgettes are the perfect vegetable for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a bumper crop of delicious homegrown courgettes in no time.
So, whether you’re growing them in pots on your patio, in a raised bed, or squeezing them into your garden borders, courgettes are a fantastic addition to any small garden. Now that you’re armed with all the knowledge you need, it’s time to grab your seeds, roll up your sleeves, and get planting!
For more expert advice, check out this guide from the RHS: https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/courgettes/grow-your-own
Let us know: Are you growing courgettes in your garden this year? Share your tips, triumphs, and challenges in the comments below—we’d love to hear your stories!
