courgette query

[Normans Mum]

Hi
This weekend potted on my courgettes and was somewhat taken aback to find that they have already started to develope some flowers. Is this normal ? Or am I better removing them and letting the plant grow some more first. They were in 3" pots, now in 5". Not intending to plant them out until May.

[piskieinboots]

I would remove the flowers if they are not going out yet

[Normans Mum]

thanks for that Piskie. Also, was thinking of early May... perhaps 2nd week. Presumably risk of frosts would be over then?

[Maccabee]

Your fruit, herb and vegetable garden

This is a great site. Click on weather settings at the top and you can input your location and it will tell you your last frost date (as well as loads more info on growing all kinds of fruit and veg and much more). For us the last frost should be Mid May, so i'm holding off until then.

EDIT

The last frost date has changed since i last checked from mid may to early may . I suppose that means the 2nd week in may should be fine.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Don't forget those last frost dates are an average not a certainty always keep an eye out for cloudless sky's at night, those nights will always be cold even in May.

Colin

[horticultural_hobbit]

Flowers already? And I thought I was being early! My triffids are still babies yet. Just sending out their first proper leaves havings had baby leaves. Won't be throwing them
Out for a few weeks yet. They won't be sunk into the ground til the be of may, so
Will need hardening off between now and them somehow.

[Alison]

thanks for that Piskie. Also, was thinking of early May... perhaps 2nd week. Presumably risk of frosts would be over then?

We've often had frosts early May so either make sure you have some fleece handy or have a spare to back up if you lose the first one.

I've not sown mine yet but will be putting them in this weekend

[morverngirl]

My 1st male flower is out and there's masses to follow (male & female) , hope to put in polytunnel soon .

[briggsy2011]

Hi is there a link in simple terms to follow about the male and female flowers on courgette plants. lol - i have read up but removing the right flowers its confusing!

[veggiechicken]

Try this Briggsy http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ons_64786.html Same sort of thing!

[taff]

A few of mind flowered in their pots last year, but it was a last ditch attempt to grow fruit because the pot they were in was so small [they were extra and I didn't have anywhere to put them]. If your courgettes are flowering now, check it's not because they're starving.

[rustylady]

Hi is there a link in simple terms to follow about the male and female flowers on courgette plants. lol - i have read up but removing the right flowers its confusing!

Briggsy you don't remove any flowers on courgettes.

[Currysniffa]

I've not even sown mine yet Job for the weekend mi thinks.

[zazen999]

I've got a few started but that's because they need to produce something before the end of term for the students. I've not even got my own out the box to look at, never mind sow.

Apart from one particular fave of course, White Serpent Squash - being nurtured in the kitchen as we speak. Will be hardened off and planted out at the start of May under a cloche surrounded with straw - just like last year.