How long until courgettes start flowering?

[andiet]

I'm a novice gardener and this year decided to grow courgettes, as I believe they are relatively easy and I like eating them! My courgettes are growing, they have lots of big leaves and seem quite happy (though I believe they are not big fans of a lot of windy which we tend to get where we live). I'm probably a little impatient, but just wanted a rough timeline of whe they would start producing actual courgettes/flowers? One week? More or am I doing something wrong? Have also noticed a few ants hanging around, could they be a problem? Would be grateful of any advice/tips to send me on my merry way.

[Alison]

I suspect you're just being impatient, if the plants look healthy then keave them alone for a bit and suddenly you'll have courgettes. Plenty of time yet, mine aren't even planted out yet.

[Lumpy]

Mine are planted out in theor containers but have been affected by the bustery winds that keep blasting everything in sight.
I still cover them with some fleece at night and each plant has 1 tiny flower so far. I really don't know if the flowers will amount to anything in this weather though.
Like Alison says - patience is a virtue expecially when growing veg and your courgettes will take you by surprise one day and have huge, gorgeous flowers on them.

[veggiechicken]

Hi and welcome.
Don't want to disappoint you but the first flowers will probably be male flowers, the female flowers come along later. Once you have some of each, the "babies" will be born!

[chefgage]

And then prepare for lots and lots of courgettes. Whenever I have grown them they produce loads and loads of them. As has been said just be patient and if the plants look healthy the courgettes will come.

As for the ants I wouldn't have thought they would cause a problem. I tend to get loads under my potato pots.

[andiet]

Thank you all for your help, will try to calm down a bit and not get too obsessed with them (though I do talk to them LOL)

[Nicos]

Remember that you can eat the male flowers.
They are utterly delish deep fried in tempura batter!

We tend to leave ours on the plant for a few days until there are enough to pick them all at the same time and then cook...probably about every 6 days...mmmmm.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I think courgettes could be a while yet. We have just had the second coldest May for 20 years and everything that needs warmth seems to be waiting for the weather.

[Penellype]

I think courgettes could be a while yet. We have just had the second coldest May for 20 years and everything that needs warmth seems to be waiting for the weather.

And following on from a very warm April, it seems to have confused a lot of things.