Courgettes and broadies...

[kentishgal]

Hoping I can pick someones brain for a mo'!!
Firstly do cougettes need the flowers on the ends for anything or are they superfluous??(I have a gherkin sized courgette and the flower just fell off, it looked kinda water logged and rotten *sigh*)...
Second how do I know when broad beans are ready to harvest?? (I didnt even know they grew upwards!! that was abit of a shock!LOL)

[bradlo]

I am a complete novice ... but I am pretty sure my courgettes continue growing after the flower drops off ! If I am wrong someone correct me!!!!
Broad beans I haven't grown...so no help there at all ( The story of my life !!!!)

[Jeanied]

The courgette is the fruit part, bearing the seeds. Once the flower has done its job it falls off. In fact if it hangs on for too long it can start the end rotting.

As for broadies - I find mine grow upwards until they are mature and then the pods start to hang down - that is when I pick them. But I like older beans to eat. Try feeling the pod and once you can feel the individual beans inside then try picking a few.

[Jelliebabe]

You will find two sorts of flowers on a courgette. A male flower and a female. The female has the courgette behind it. Once it has been polinated the female flower will drop off and the courgette with continue to grow. If the female is unpolinated the whole tiny courgette will drop off. Sounds like yours is fine.

The broadies will be ready when you can kind of see the chunky bean shapes inside. Try one and see! Well done on the courgette as mine arent growing at all!

[Florence Fennel]

It fascinates me how the broad beans stand up straight until they're filling out and then as Jeanie says they hang down. I prefer them at this mature stage, they're easier to pod and peel!

[fairynuff]

I like my broad beans young, and pick them when the pods are about the thickness of my thumb - they're still perky at that stage.

As for courgette flowers - once the flowers drop off the fruit will keep growing, but why waste the flower - they make delicious fritters - pop in a slick of batter then fry until golden - YUM!

[leonmc0708]

As above - I have read that the flowers are an expensive delicacy - get them in some tempura and scoff em.

On the Broadies - I have tried both picken them quite young and leaving them until they go south. I like the slightly different tastes and textures of both. I try not to pick them until they feel a little stronger than squidgy - if that makes any sense.