Courgettes and cucumbers are easy to grow. They require a warm, sunny, sheltered spot and regular watering. When watering courgette or cucumber plants, avoid getting the leaves wet. As this can encourage fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew. Once plants start to fruit, feed with plant food fortnightly. This encourages flowering and fruiting.
Courgettes:
Courgette plants are very productive, so once they start to fruit you could have courgettes weekly. By picking regularly, you will ensure a long cropping period. They are usually ready to harvest from late June through to October (weather dependent).
Growing different varieties of courgettes not only looks diverse and beautiful in the garden, but also on your plate. The flowers are edible, and can be stuffed with soft cheese or added to salads.
Courgettes are a versatile vegetable. You could add them to pasta dishes, curry, pizza, risotto, or even cake. They are best eaten freshly picked, but can be kept in the fridge for a week.
Cucumbers:
Like courgettes, cucumbers are very productive. You only need a few plants to get a glut of cucumbers. Small cucumber varieties are ready to harvest more quickly than longer ones. They can be harvested from July to October (weather dependent).
Cucumbers can reach great heights, and so require support. They grow well up a sunny wall with bamboo canes for support. Without support, they require lots of space to sprawl out everywhere.
With their crunchy flesh and refreshing taste, cucumbers are a great addition to salads. They are best eaten freshly picked, but can be kept in the fridge for a few days.
