A - Z Veg

See also:

Marrow, courgette, squash and pumpkin

All these crops are closely related - often confusingly so, and are grown in basically the same way.

They need a sunny position, a moisture-retentive soil and somewhere out of cold winds.

Sowing

Sow two or three seeds 2.5cm (1in) deep outdoors in late May or early June and cover with cloches, jars or plastic; leave in place for two weeks, or as long as possible, after germination. Thin the seedlings to leave the strongest one.

For earlier crops or in cold regions sow seeds on their side 13mm (0.5in) deep indoors in pots of compost from mid- to late April at 18-21C (65-70F). Harden off before planting outside in early June.

Growing

Make planting pockets 60cm (2ft) apart for bush varieties or 1.2m (4ft) apart for trailers two weeks before seed sowing or planting. The pockets should be 30cm (12in) square and deep and filled with a mixture of compost or well-rotted manure and soil; leave a low mound at the top of the planting medium. Sprinkle a general fertiliser over the soil. Covering the soil with black polythene will help growth and keep the fruit off the soil.

Pinch out the tips of the main shoots of trailing varieties when they are 60cm (2ft) long.

Keep the soil constantly moist by watering around the plants not over them. As they need plenty of water, sink a 15cm (6in) pot alongside the plants when planting out. Water into this and it will help ensure the water goes right down to the roots and not sit around the neck of the plant which can lead to rotting.

Feed every 10-14 days with a high potash liquid fertiliser once the first fruits start to swell.

The fruit of marrows and pumpkins should be supported off the soil on a piece of tile or glass.

Harvesting

Harvest marrows, courgettes and summer squashes when the fruit is still quite small, courgettes 10-12.5cm (4-5in) long, marrows 25cm (10in).

For pumpkins, winter squashes and marrows for overwintering let the fruit mature on the plant and remove before the first frost.

Cultivars

View the AGM list (356KB pdf document)