Planting out courgettes

[Florence Fennel]

I use my milk bottles (Cravendale) for comfrey tea and collect pop bottles for irrigating plants.

[Jimmy]

I usually put 3 in a grow bag with upside down milk cartons between them for watering.

Regardless of grow bags I insert short bits of broken cane close to the centre of the plant between the stems. This stops the wind from blowing them around.

Also I sometimes start them of in the green house on a grow bag pallet
See http://www.jlearmonth.f2s.com/RaisedBeds/

When I make the pallet I ensure I can get a couple of ropes under it. I can then carry them out when frost are past. probably a two person job. Similar for toms etc.

I find courgettes burn out after a while so always do a succession of planting over spring/summer.

P.S. yellow ones are best, any comments ?
Jimmy

[chris]

Hi just joined forum today, am new to allotmenting have sown courgettes in conservatory and wondering what size should I let them get to before planting out on the allotment. Also are they prone to slugs /snails as the slimy beasts seem to eat everything I grow.

Hi, welcome to the forum. You've a similar name to another member here

Anyway, larger plants are able to shrug off slug attacks more easily, plus slugs/snails tend to eat lush, young, soft growth. They don't need to be in your conservatory now - you'll need to start hardening them off (sooner rather than later would be good - they grow fast, and they'll be easier to move when smaller).

I'll be planting mine out with slug protection (organic / pet safe slug pellets) this weekend. They're just about to get their third set of true leaves, and are still quite small - but I don't want the hassle of potting them on.

[Normans Mum]

I potted mine up 3 times (last size pot was an 8") then sent them off to the cold frame (infant school) and now they're out in their big bed stretching out every where.