Although courgettes have been grown on the continent for a long time, it wasn’t until the 1960s that they started to be grown more widely in the UK. As a child of the 60s I remember marrows being grown in my grandma’s garden but can’t remember seeing courgettes! Nowadays they are a very popular summer vegetable (technically a fruit), whereas the poor old marrow has taken a back seat and is grown much less. Marrows and courgettes are in fact the same and the courgette is simply an immature marrow with soft skin.
SOIL CONDITIONS
To grow well, courgettes like a sunny position and a fertile soil. Whether your soil is light and sandy or heavy clay, it always pays to add in some organic matter in the form of home-made compost, well-rotted manure or old potting compost when preparing the area. This will open up heavy soils to aid drainage and improve the moisture holding capacity of light, sandy soil. Just before planting, I also sprinkle a few handfuls of a general fertiliser such as Growmore or blood, fish and bone over the area to boost the nutrient levels in the soil.
SOWING AND PLANTING
Bu hikaye Kitchen Garden dergisinin June 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Kitchen Garden dergisinin June 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
PICK STRAWBERRIES - FOR HOME-GROWN FLAVOUR
When it comes to getting value for money and the best flavour, strawberries are hard to beat, says fruit expert David Patch
A GARDEN FOR EVERYONE!
This month Hannah Reid shares her experience of redesigning a garden for those with a range of disabilities and how it has benefited them
ROOM TO GROW
We meet Rhiannon Alcock from Devon, whose plot provides a place to relax and learn. It also inspired a wonderful community project growing produce for local food banks
Just how much food?
Top organic gardening influencer Huw Richards explains how to maximise the pickings from growing spaces big and small
PREDATORS ON YOUR PLOT
Garden Organic's Anton Rosenfeld explores the range of beneficial predators that you can encourage into your garden, keeping pests at bay
GIVE THEM A HELPING HAND
Some of our most popular crops come from much warmer climes and need a little extra TLC before being exposed to the UK's changeable conditions. Editor Steve Ott offers some top tips to help get them off to a great start
Digging for tomorrow
Encouragement to grow your own is being passed on to the next generation, as Sally Clifford discovered when she visited a former Dig for Victory site in the historic city of York
MAKE YOUR OWN GIN GARDEN
Become a gin genius by growing your own key ingredients. Becky Searle shows you how
KNOW YOUR ROOTS
Maincrop roots are a staple of autumn and, with care, should last well into winter too. Don't miss your opportunity to start them! Benedict Vanheems shares his tips to keep the larder stocked with nourishing, home-grown roots
SOMETHING FOR THE WINTER
This month 'squashbuckler' Rob Smith takes a look at winter squash varieties - old, new, coming soon and something different with advice on sowing, growing, harvesting and storing