Growing courgettes

[lyndonj]

I am growing courgettes for the first time and have read they are normally left to grow on the surface but is is possible to grow them up a tressell

[chefgage]

The courgettes i grew last time but not sure of the variety grew to about a meter square with the courgettes forming around the middle. In this case they would not grow up a tressel. Obviously there are different varieties so it maybe possible. Of course i am talking about the whole plant being about a meter square not the courgettes!!

[Thelma Sanders]

You could grow Tromboncino aka Tromba D'Albenga summer squash.

That definitely climbs and produces a generous amount of fruit if picked young. If you leave them to get enormous (they will keep well into winter if allowed to ripen) it slows up production a bit.

[Guest]

As mentioned most courgettes are bush plants. I have tried to grow black forest F1 (climbing courgette) in the past but the results were poor. The plants never made any size so never got any fruit and at £4 ish for 4 seeds I won't worry about trying it again

[bario1]

I've grown Black Forest too, I did get some courgettes, but a pretty feeble crop compared to others I have tried. And despite claiming they climb on the packet, they don't... they have a slightly less compact habit than most, that's all. You could physically tie it to a frame, but it's not going to fly up it of it's own accord.

[bario1]

Of course i am talking about the whole plant being about a meter square not the courgettes!!

They will get to that size if you don't pick them quick enough!!

[chefgage]

They will get to that size if you don't pick them quick enough!!

I know what you mean! I had three plants on the go. I picked loads of them before i went for a holiday for two weeks. When i got back they were no longer courgettes, they had turned into giant marrows!!!

[cazp]

I guess it depends on the variety, but I train my "Cousa" courgettes up the same netting as my French beans, instead of letting them sprawl. Below is a pic of a young plant making it's way up the netting.

Works really well, its space saving, and keeps the slugs off.

[lyndonj]

The variety I am growing is black beauty , so I guess I will just let it trail on the ground and place something under the fruit as they grow

[WendyC]

I don't think you'll find it will trail, just form one rosette. Generally the fruits are held above the soil.

[Penellype]

Mine sometimes trail - it depends a bit on how fast they are growing. Last year I had a Piccolo in a 2ft high raised bed, and it made its way to the edge of the bed and then down onto the floor by the end of the season. I've also had a Green Bush grow about 3ft long, completely smothering a bed of leeks.