How many years am I gonna keep growing too many courgettes. Trouble is that I look at the small plants early in the year and tend to forget that they grow enormous. This year we are trying the round type and they seem even more prolific. I am going to try dumping (or giving away) the bigger ones and start eating the others when they are still small instead of trying to eat them all cos I feel guilty about wasting things.
;D
They look lovely though....
For the first time this year I haven't killed my plants off, am getting to see what everyone means about the glut!
I have too many but all green. I really really want some yellow ones or the round ones, if they are courgettes. I expect my friend at the allotment will give me a couple of his yellow ones if I ask nicely.
The yellow one is a straight necked squash but I think it looks and tastes like a yellow courgette. Quite dissapointed with the taste of it too. i would really love to find a summer squash with a more buttery flavour. I do like the Butternut Squash. Grew them last year and have some more growing now.
I assume squash and courgettes are the same family. I will look up the different varieties and shapes. By new project for new season. Better go and do some watering then we will probably have the promised thunderstorm.
What ratio do you reckon? One plant per adult household member ?
2 of us, 12 courgettes plants at allotment, 3 in back garden. But at least I have something to pick.
An elegant sufficiency by the sound of it!
We've got 5 plants and it's not enough as we love courgettes. Will double the quantity next year.
Three of us and we have 3 Astia courgette 3 ball courgettes and 3 straight neck squash. Me rabbits don't like them either. Next year its gonna be 3 Astia and thats it. (promise)
Bet you don't Shirlton,LOL. You wait till seed picking time comes around next year.
My OH doesn't even like any squash,wether it is winter or summer but I still grow tons of it every year, all types, varieties,shapes, colours etc.
I am often asked why..only sensible answer is...I enjoy seeing them grow!!
By the way, try the crooked necked summer squash for taste next year.
XX Jeannine
Thanks Jeanine I will. (there I've done it again)
we've started using them for picalilli, instead of cucumbers, I had to find something to do with them and we only have 2 plants ;D
Told you so. XX Jeannine
PS do you want seeds?
We have been picking several courgettes each day. Tried the following recipes last night and can recommend them
http://www.riverford.co.uk/recipes/recipe.php?recipeid=479&catid=4
http://www.riverford.co.uk/recipes/recipe.php?recipeid=414&catid=8
They have loads of great ideas for all sorts of veg.
Think I will need to start looking for french bean recipes soon!
Jeanine, I wouldn't mind some seeds if you have any spare. Are they better tasting than the straightneck
I have three courgette plants and there are two of us in the house. One of them I planted in a container and is not producing very much. The other two are in the ground and are producing too many for me to cope with. Everyday after cutting off a few I think ....I wont be cutting anymore for a few days now! ::)Think again!!
Next year ...mmmm... i think I will only grow two......but I have seeds of some of the patty pan shaped ones and round ones ....and i will have to grow the regular ones .......I dont think I will ever learn either :P
Duke
lol they look tasty anyways! of the ones ive picked so far ive used 2 small ones up in passata with onion and garlic and herbs to make a bolognese type sauce to go with spag n meaty balls, scrum! one went to the inlaws and ive 2 bigish ones and a small one left, ive just got a recipie off the organix website for lamb stuffed courgette boats, i cant afford minced lamb but i think i can probably afford normal mince :) doubt anyone will eat it but hey ho i can try :) ive only got 2 plants producing at the moment but am hoping for some yellow courgettes soon and if im lucky and the lil plants catch up maybe some ball shaped ones :)
sooo whats the difference between summer and winter squashes? just when theyre ready? or are the summer ones more like courgettes? or are they completely n utterly different?? ill ask as i kno jeanine will kno :)
We are currently cutting about 6 each day. This from 7 plants (but one we've heaved up this evening as it was very ill).
"Black Bush" green and "Gold Rush" yellow.
Probably heading towards 50 courgettes in the last three weeks ..... have given away some and will give more. Also planning to freeze "Courgette and mint" soup from Leith's cookbook - lovely!
Lots more coming too .......
Yum! ;D
Expect to grow a similar number next year, but will grow fewer plants of different varieties. Thanks for recommendations above!
I'm always thinking some will die so plant extra. This year all the cucumbers survived so we are flooded with them but I didn't plant enough yellow squash. Nor enough green beans. Can't seem to get the numbers right.
The seasons always vary so we always "get it wrong".... ;D
Looplou, think in terms of only summer and winter squash..it makes things easier. Then put your courgettes into the summer and your pumpkins in with the winter squash along with the Butternuts etc.
Winter squash will store more several months if picked mature and cured well. They can also be used early as summer squash.They are dry fleshed and sweet,
Summer squash don't store, they have about the same shelf life as cucumbers.
Most summer squash are softer, more watery and less sweet than winter squash. completely different to winters
The crooknecks and straight neck squash are better than most courgettes , the crookneck is a but differnt still as it has a wee but more dense flesh than a courgette ot strightneck. I think it is the best of the summer squashes.
Try your courgettes, dipped in seasoned egg, then seasoned flour with alittle bit of parmesan cheese. added.similar to my quickie version of Fried Green toms
Does this help.
XX Jeannin e
Next to the notice about no circulars my neighbours will probably put a notice saying 'no more courgettes'.
I cut 10 marrows off my 4 courgette plants today. I didn't want 4 plants but they came 2 per pot at our seedling sale and they were different varieties. I only need one plant but if I only planted one, I'm betting it would croak!
I'm not the only one - there are piles of marrows appearing at the junctions of our site paths, outside the cafe and by the gates!
Ah well, marrow jam and chocolate marrow bread over the weekend then.
I gave some of my courgettes to my daughter and was delighted to learn that her pet Giant Snails really enjoy the yellow ones. .................... makes all my efforts worthwhile knowing I am appreciated by her snails !!