Growing Courgettes and Marrows

Growing Courgettes and Marrows curcurbita pepo

Also called Zucchini, in the UK we normally think of zucchini as short, green courgettes available in our supermarkets. Marrows can also be referred to as Summer Squash. They are varieties of the group of plants known as CURCURBITS which also includes, squash, pumpkin, melons, cucumbers and gourds.

They are native to much warmer climates than the UK can provide so that even though some varieties are perennial, they are unlike to survive the cold and frost of winters here, unless grown indoors with heat.

Sowing and Growing

They enjoy a soil which is well fertilised and well drained though, in dry weather they will need to be watered thoroughly and regularly, especially as the fruits start to develop. I don’t attempt to grow these plants indoors as, although a couple of plants is all you are likely to need they do occupy a large area.

They can be sown outdoors when the weather and soil have warmed up in late May or June but, I prefer to germinate them indoors in pots a month or two earlier then transplant outdoors to their final growing spot in June – make sure they have been hardened off carefully, a sudden drop in the temperature they are used to could well kill them.

Once established, they should grow on quickly and start to produce flowers. Both male and female flowers will be produced on the same plant – the male flowers appear on the end of a long stem – the female flowers will have an obvious small, undeveloped fruit at the back of the flower head. Once pollinated, the fruits will develop quickly and if you wish to use them as courgettes, it is a good idea to check on your crop every couple of days and harvest them before you have a plethora of huge marrows you will struggle to find a home for and continual harvesting is essential to ensure they continue to produce.

With care the plants should continue to provide regular fruit from July until October.

Types and Varieties

Although, if left courgette plants will turn into marrows very quickly, there are different varieties which are more suitable for their eventually purpose. Check the different seed houses for new developments mostly F1 hybrids, many of which won’t require insect pollination and some are small enough to grow in large pots on the patio. However, do check suppliers like Nicky’s Seeds and The Real Seed Catalogue for interesting non hybrid varieties, many of which will be Heirloom.

Courgettes – the most popular are sold as Zucchini – try Tuscany, All Green Bush, Best of British, Tosca, Partenon

Modern varieties now give us courgettes with more interesting appearances – try striped Green Tiger with green on green stripes, Sunstripe with white on yellow [I find the slower growing yellow courgettes a bit dryer and denser than the green varieties and have a flavour I prefer], Atena, Ambassador, Parador,  Zephyr – half yellow/half green.

Marrows – All Green Bush is a good all-rounder, Bush Baby, Sunbeam, Tiger Cross.

Summer Squash varieties – Spaghetti squash [vegetable spaghetti],

Summer Crookneck,                       

 Patty Pans – Pattison Blanc, Bennings Green Tint, Sunbeam and Moonbeam,

Round fruited – Tondo di Piacenza, Tricolour

Harvesting and Storing

As well as the fruits, the flowers are also popular as an interesting dish when deep fried though, it is a shame to use the female flowers for this purpose.

The vegetables will keep happily for up to a week although for some varieties you might wish to have sliced in a salad they should be eaten very fresh. For the small firm courgette types it is not necessary to peel before cooking or eating raw though wash them well before use.

More mature vegetables [marrows] are better peeled before cooking and slice the open to remove the seeds and surrounding tougher fibres.

Courgettes will freeze easily for winter use – wash, trim and slice before blanching for 1 -2 minutes. Drain well and pack in freezer boxes or bags.

Nutritional Value

Excellent source of	Useful amounts	Traces
	Dietary Fibre	Vitamins – Vitamin A and C, folate – B9, B6 Minerals – iron, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, copper
Low in saturated fat.          No cholesterol.     A good antioxidant

Pests and Diseases

Slugs can be a problem with the young plants as they are trying to establish and with the fruits as they are developing. Keep the fruits off the ground on boards or on suitable plant matting to reduce slug attack and to keep the fruits clean.

Botrytis [Grey Mould]  - this mould will attack any weak or slightly damaged fruit, especially in wet seasons. Remove any affected areas of the plant and destroy.

Cucumber mosaic virus or Yellow mosaic virus can affect, especially indoor plants though many varieties are resistant now. The fruits may be small and misshapen but are still edible. Avoid handling the plants.

Red Spider Mite – on indoor plants. Spray the plants every couple of weeks with SB Plant Invigorator [organic] which will also fertilise the plant and spray every couple of days with water – the mites don’t like damp conditions but, avoid making the area too wet.