[VeggieVirgin]

I planted my courgettes out on 25th April (when it was nice and warm!), thinking they'd really take off, but they don't seem to be growing very quickly and the leaves have a yellowish tinge to them.

They're in a new bed (newly created last summer, that is) with some fruit bushes (gooseberries, currants), rhubarb and Jerusalem artichokes. Everything else seems to be growing OK so I don't think it can be something wrong with the soil. Do courgettes have any special requirements? Do I need to give them a feed or something?

[arugula]

I see you are in Wales, has it been cold and windy? They won't like such conditions if it has. We have courgette plants starting to look quite poorly in their pots now, as we didn't put them out during the good spell and it has been too wet and windy since.

[bigben]

I also planted out in that very hot April thinking they should do ok. Since then we have not had anywhere near as much sun and evening temperatures have not been too warm. Mine are looking very sorry for themselves and not growing very much. I think I will be using my backups that I did not put out to replace one or two that look like they might become slug food.

[stompy]

It will be temprature related.
Most tender plants will do this when they suffer from cold tempratures.
Sorry to say but most don't recover after this in my experience.

I would sow some backups now, there is still time.
Chit them first and then sow in 3" pots and put in a heated propogator, they should be through within a week, then plant out first or second week of June.

[VeggieVirgin]

Thanks for advice.

It has been pretty cold and windy here.

I started off some other varieties of courgette in the greenhouse a couple of weeks ago, which now have their seed leaves on, so I'll hold of planting them out until early June, as you suggest.

[Aidy]

Mine are out and I have ickle babeeee courgettes on, however I protect mine with a cloche until I am happy the weather has settled, might worth chucking some glass over them and see if they recover.

[arugula]

Ours a going out this week regardless now, before they die from being pot-bound. We'll just have to cover them at least some of the time, if the wind and rain won't desist.

[stompy]

Mine will be going out the first week of June.
Never before after the disaster i had when i lost the lot to the late frost.