How to Grow Courgettes in the UK
Courgettes are one of the most productive vegetables you can grow in the UK. A single healthy plant can produce vegetables throughout the summer, making them a favourite for beginner gardeners.
They grow quickly, enjoy warm weather, and don’t require complicated care.
With sunlight, regular watering, and enough space, courgettes are usually very reliable.
When to plant courgettes
Courgettes are sensitive to frost, so they should be planted outdoors after the risk of frost has passed.
In most parts of the UK, this is usually May or early June.
Seeds can be started indoors in April, then transplanted outside later.
Starting indoors gives plants a head start, but sowing outdoors in late spring also works well.
Where to grow courgettes
Courgettes need:
plenty of sunlight
shelter from strong wind
space to spread
They grow best in:
garden beds
raised beds
large containers
Each plant needs about one square metre of space.
Soil requirements
Courgettes grow best in rich soil with plenty of compost.
Before planting, mix compost into the soil to improve nutrients and moisture retention.
Courgettes are hungry plants and benefit from fertile soil.
How to plant courgettes
To plant courgettes:
Plant seedlings into warm soil
Space plants about 1 metre apart
Firm soil gently around the base
Water well after planting
Plants grow quickly once temperatures rise.
Watering courgettes
Courgettes need regular watering, especially during warm weather.
Keep soil:
consistently moist
not waterlogged
Water the soil around the plant rather than the leaves.
Container-grown courgettes may need watering daily in summer.
Common problems
Courgettes are usually easy to grow, but beginners sometimes notice:
powdery mildew later in the season
slow growth in cool weather
Most of these problems improve once weather becomes warmer.
Harvesting courgettes
Courgettes grow quickly once plants begin producing.
They’re usually best harvested when about 15–20 cm long.
Frequent harvesting encourages plants to produce more vegetables.
Check plants regularly during summer, as courgettes can grow quickly.
Beginner tips
Courgettes are ideal for beginner gardeners because they produce so reliably.
For best results:
plant in sunny soil
add compost before planting
water regularly
harvest often
Even one plant can produce plenty of vegetables.