Grow Your Own: Courgettes

Lesson 5: Harvesting Courgettes

Frequent Inspections
Begin harvesting courgettes as soon as they reach a usable size – normally between 10cm and 15cm. Some varieties are ready to crop after eight weeks. Cut the stems attaching the fruit to the plant rather than breaking them off. Regular harvesting encourages more fruit to grow, so inspect the plants frequently: it's amazing how quickly courgettes will appear when your back is turned!

Sun-Blessed Blossoms
Don't forget that you can use courgette flowers in the kitchen. Harvest the blossoms on a sunny day to pick them at their best. Aficionados whip up a very thin, Roman-style pizza and top it with courgette flowers. Or you can deep-fry them in a light batter. They also make a classy, colourful addition to an earthy mushroom risotto.

Thinking Big
Many gardeners find that they end up with accidental marrows after neglecting to harvest a few hidden courgettes during gluts. Cooked correctly, these ad hoc creations are perfectly good for culinary use. But, if you really want to grow marrows, plant a variety specifically developed for the purpose. Try "Long Green Trailing" or "Green Bush". Grow them as described for courgettes. Shield maturing fruit from direct contact with the soil by placing them on a sheet of wood or similar barrier. This prevents rotting and discourages pests.