[karooba007]

my courgettes have formed flower buds but have not yet opened. I sowed them too early.

can I leave them indoors or will I have to plant them out?

[mumofstig]

Too early to put them out yet.....IMHO you have 2 options ......keep them in but pick off the flowers (they're usually all male at this time of year anyway) or chuck em out and start again
I only sowed mine yesterday they'll still be ready in time

[Trebor]

Down in Kent and one of the plot holders told me they had planted courgettes in the garden and the allotment a couple of weeks ago now. The ones in the garden are doing fine, the ones at the allotment are dead. Guess if the ground is warm enough/ sheltered then you may get away with it, but still a gamble this time of year.

[mumofstig]

Please have  alook at your frost forecast for this w/e before you think of planting , it will make up your mind for you

[karooba007]

Too early to put them out yet.....IMHO you have 2 options ......keep them in but pick off the flowers (they're usually all male at this time of year anyway) or chuck em out and start again
I only sowed mine yesterday they'll still be ready in time

If I leave the flowers what will happen?what affect will there be on the plant if I remove the male flower? at what temperature will courgettes turn black and die?
What if I put them in a cool room with low light to reduce growth will this damage the plant due to low light levels?
will it be safe if I plant out at the end of the first week of may?

[gregmcalister]

I usually get small flowers starting to form before I plant them out but I just leave them.  As long as you keep them watered and warm they'll be fine. I mentioned in another post that I plant mine individually in 3" pots and although they do get too big for the pots prior to being planted out I've not had any problems once they've been planted.

[DD.]

So many questions, so little time to answer!

If I leave the flowers what will happen?

Nothing tragic.

what affect will there be on the plant if I remove the male flower?

None at all, but there's no point in them being there.

at what temperature will courgettes turn black and die?

At the slightest whiff of frost.

What if I put them in a cool room with low light to reduce growth will this damage the plant due to low light levels?

Yes, it will put in rapid growth & go leggy & weak in an attempt to get closer to the light.

will it be safe if I plant out at the end of the first week of may?

Of course you will.

If you can predict that there will be more more frosts! Ber in mind the one at the END of May last year. That's 4 weeks away.

[karooba007]

thanks DD. I will take my chance and plant at the end of the FIRST week of May. and will sow some more soon.

[Kristen]

If you put them outside during the day, and back in at night, they will grow more slowly than if they are in a greenhouse during the day too ...

Is it an option to pot on into larger pots to keep them going?

Plant one in the greenhouse for an early crop?

[Eatyourgreens]

I have a couple of larger early planted ones, but I intend growing these two in my cold frame, I am using that for hardening off of my other stuff for a couple more weeks, then the courgettes can move home for a summer of side wind sheltering and a good crop (I hope), the others won't be ready to go outside till June.

Bob

[DD.]

Given the size that courgette plants get to and the ease with which they can be grown outside, I'd never give over my vaulable greenhouse space to one.

I can wait a week or two for the glut!