courgettes, squash and sweetcorn

[aquilegia]

Is it too early to sow them indoors?

I'm planning on getting a few courgettes in the ground early under cloches. How early can I do that?

I'm in greater London, so last frost should be late May - right?

[aquilegia]

[moonbells]

I'm wondering this too. Have some recycled watercooler bottles which make fantastic bell cloches, which will get used to cover early courgettes (I got some of the Parthenon variety which doesn't need pollinating so should be great for under glass).

moonbells

[Mrs Ava]

I have now sown all of my squash in the conservatory, but will wait another couple of weeks before I do the corn.

[sandersj89]

I have not sown any squash just yet but will be sowing a couple courgette at the weekend with the squash.

I will also be doing a second sowing of courgette in mid May to extend the season fo small fruit as I always leave some of the fruit on the first plants to develop in marrows for keeping.

Jerry

[Mrs Ava]

ooooooooo, good plan Jerry.  There should be a reminder section on the forum so we can post things like...Mid May, second sowing of courgettes....so I don't forget these things...which inevitably I do....hey ho.....

[Multiveg]

i sowed some tondo roundi courgette things - looked at the chart on the back - Franchi seeds of italy - said sow 2-something! Anyway, they were sown in Feb! Hopefully, they will survive the slight overwatering (I notice that a certain little helper waters his kalanchoe as well which are right next to the courgettes on the windowsill!) Will start squashes and sweetcorn and runners probably end of april.

[Moggle]

Whoops, I sowed some sweetcorn on the weekend. Is that a bit too early? Should I be buying tescos water in bulk so I have plenty of spare cloches?  ;D

[Mrs Ava]

I would say it is a little early for the corn, but if you have the room, and can pot them on when they get big, then I don't suppose there will be a problem.  Me, I don't have the room!  Already all the benches in the greenhouse are full, along with the floor, and as for the conservatory!!!!  I have to wait really until my tender plants get back out, the olives, palms and pelagoniums, then I will have a whole 4 foot square to squeeze in another couple of trays!

[NattyEm]

I sowed some courgettes a couple of days ago inside on my windowsill.  Its so hard to choose what to start first when you only have a tiny windowsill space!  Mostly I'm going to have to wait until things can go straight outside.

[wardy]

Me too Natteym.  It does stop you from rushing at things too soon though.  We get v late frost up in NE Derbys and don't usually put stuff out until 1st June so if you sow too early you've got to keep things indoors (where you've not an inch of available space left) until you dare put them out

It is so tempting though isn't it  ;D

[kitty]

aargh! :o
i sowed my corn today-but they are on a coolish windowsill near an open door-i've got'em at work so's i can keep an eye on the little divils! ;D

[tim]

Courgettes - in case it makes anyone feel better, we put ours out 2 weeks ago & they're just sitting there, sulking!!

[Icyberjunkie]

I put in courgettes and cucumber three weeks ago and they're all dead thanks to the late frost.  Stuck more more out a few days ago and they are coming on well with new leaves.   I also put seed into the bed when the first lot died and they are all growing as well. 

Can courgettes be tied on a trellis like cucumbers to save space?

I'm in W.Sussex so as far south as I can go without learning French!

[legless]

hi

as far as i am aware all courgettes are bush varieties rather than climbers. but i may be wrong!!

Jo

[tim]

- hopefully!

[spacehopper]

We sowed some courgette and squash seeds last weekend. Seven out of ten of the courgettes have germinated. None of the squash (yet). They are in a lean-to shed that has a polycarbonate roof, semi greenhouse I suppose! Why not try it and see what happens?

[Mrs Ava]

Here is one of mine in the greenhouse.  Yellow one, but of course, can't find the label!  Looks like we will be tucking in very soon.

[tim]

c&b - delightful photo - watch out for your plants though!!