Topic: First Courgette

[debster]

my flowers on my courgettes are just really taking off and boy are they big, watch this space

[bimboblia boy]

I have 6 plants growing but only a single courgette is ready. Can I expect lots more to come soon? Also my pumpkin plants have lots of flowers on but the pumpkins just rot as soon as they appear ???

[caroline7758]

BB, once they start there will be no stopping them, don't worry! I picked five little ones yesterday- very pleased with myself for catching them before they grew big!

[dandelion]

The tiny pumpkins may have rotted because they were not pollinated. Not a lot of bees around in this weather! Hopefully the next flowers will get pollinated, or you could try hand pollinating.

[allaboutliverpool]

I was delighted to get my first courgettes on the 7th June. They were not my usual variety, but Longue de Nice which I expected to be late.



To see how I came to plant this variety see:-

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments_Vegetables_courgettes.html

[OliveOil]

I took one look at your face smiling and one look at your courgette!  ;D

[oubykh]

i'm having a real problem this year, all the fruits have not quite got to picking size but then rotted from the flower end. Not a single one has survived so far.

[Marymary]

Pollination is a problem this year because of the weather, I think yours are not getting pollinated like loads of mine though I have had quite a few many others are just going to mush.  First patty-pan appears to have set.  :)

OO
 ;D ;D ;D

[Mrs Ava]

We are in courgette glut mode also.  Picked another 3 today.


Love the Jack be Little Jeannine.  I tend to ignore all of my other squashes, leaving them until late summer.  I pay much more attention to my cucumbers, melons and courgies at this time of year.

[Crash]

I've had about 25lbs so far this year! All chopped up and frozen, or eaten on the day. Mmmmm sliced and sauteed in a little butter.  :D

[Marymary]

That's a lot of courgies early in the season - Do you blanch them before freezing?  What are they like after?  never done it but might try this year.

[Crash]

That's a lot of courgies early in the season - Do you blanch them before freezing?  What are they like after?  never done it but might try this year.

We did blanch them but with the way my plants keep producing it will be autumn before we have to defrost any!

[Hot_Potato]

I've still not got any ready to pick - I've found that the continued rain has ruined a lot of the flowers, they've gone brown, shrivelled & dropped off but did manage to hand pollinate a lovely flower head yesterday so keeping fingers crossed!

I chop or slice courgettes & never blanch - they're fine! or make them into a mix of onions, tomatoes & courgette once I've plenty of everything, freeze that too, it's lovely.

H.P.