How long roughly from the time of sowing to when you have to start picking them?
Reason I ask is that I was planning on sowing in May but we are going on holiday end of June. Can I delay the sowing so that they do not need picking until I get home 1st July? Or will they take longer than that?
Gary
Well - the worst that can happen is that you'll come home to a few marrows!
Louise
Marrows? I thought that would stop them producing more?
I am going to try to get a friend to look after the plot for the week but am not holding my breath. A bit of water may be as much as I can expect!
Gary
How long are you on hols for? You can normally see the flowers a good weekish before they're ready so you could pick them off if you're worried... I quite like coming back to a couple of marrows & they seem to get back to production afterwards...
If you look at my site you will see plants that were sown in Mid April.The first courgettes were ready by the 1st July and can be seen on the middle left. You have timed your holiday perfectly. The selection of vegetables on the top left was taken on 5th July.
http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments_Vegetables_courgettes.html
Last year I sowed a couple of courgette seeds directly in the ground in about June time. Still picking fruits in October! They grew so fast and fruited immediately.
Courgettes and marrows are my staple on the plot, I pick all the small young ones to eat and any that grow large (ie when you are on holiday) I just make into gorgeous soups, with some black pepper, veg stock and garam masala, freeze them and eat for lunch every day.
I am eating purple sprouting broccoli and carrot soup at the moment, and despite the foul smell while it was cooking, it is absolutely gorgeous! Linda
If you're only away for a week it shouldn't be a problem. If in doubt, plant out as late in May as possible. They usually take 4 or 5 weeks from planting to first picking (depending on the weather). Can you get someone to keep an eye and pick if necessary?
We rarely start production until July so good time for hols, if there is any good time in the growing season!
8)
We always holiday at the end of July/start of August. If you dont want the big marrows just remove any fruit that are staring to form. We always leave a couple on just to see how big they grow. IMO you'll be throwing away 50% of your courgettes sooner or later so its not a massive problem (and they compost well/make good hen food)
EJ do you think it would be possible to extend the harvesting season further by sowing one in a large pot in July and moving in and out of the greenhouse on cold days (or just keep in the greenhouse and hand pollinate)
Oh ! dear , I have already sown mine a couple of weeks ago and they are all now up with two fat healthy leaves,in the greenhouse . I,m new to all this ,I hope I,m not too early . Rohaise x :) P.S I would love some of those tasty soup recipes Lin !
Stop worrying, mine are going out this week under big cloche,they have flowers on!! I always risk a few earlies, almost always works out Ok. XX Jeannine
I'm only sowing mine this weekend, can't wait for this glut everyone mentions, i love courgettes!