[mad mark]

I have four courgette seeds that are now shooting up at great speed in my kitchen in one 6inch deep pot. What do I do next? Put them in a cold plastic greenhouse outside, I dont think they can go out until the end of May or no frost time, which in the Derbyshire  Peak District is almost June some years. What feed do they need and how much land do they need? I haven't got a lot, but when the spring cabbage comes out will they be okay on that bit of land??? Thanks a million and heres hoping the weather holds till the weekend.
 

[gregmcalister]

I would pot the courgettes into individual pots filled with a multi purpose compost as they'll very quickly outgrow the one they're in if they're all together.  Then once they're established in the new pots I would start to harden them off by putting them outside on mild days and taking them inside at night. And plant them out next month once the weather is suitably warm.  Then you'll have to think up a million and one different courgette recipes to deal with them all!

I've just sowed my courgettes a couple of days ago in 3" pots and I'll grow them in that until it's warm enough to plant them out. 

[paintedlady]

It depends on what variety of courgette you have as to how much ground they'll cover - is a bush type or trailing one?  Bush ones need to be planted about 2 feet apart at least.  As for when to plant them - you might still be able to plant out from about mid May but do cover them with fleece if a frost is forecast that evening.  I'm just a bit concerned that by the end of May/June, the plants will be quite big to keep handling but if you are able to delay planting out, that might be the better option.

[Kristen]

I reckon if you pot them on into 3" pots now you will need to pot them on again, into 5" pots say, in about 2 - 3 weeks, and then plant out 1st June

[Bombers]

Agree with that. Mine were sown 2 weeks ago into 3" pots, and they're nearly ready for potting on already. 

[mad mark]

Thanks for the advice my courgettes are about six inch long  in a pot alltogether, four of them. I will plant them into a pot of their own this weekend and then start hardening them off outside next month. Appreciate the advice. Might have to buy a new garden as I dont think I have 8 foot of space for these!!
Thanks again.

[DD.]

If they're 6" long, sounds like they may be a bit leggy. How long is it since they emerged?

[mad mark]

About 9 days I think. They are in my kitchen so quite warm. I put the pot on the doorstep this morning as quite nice here in Derbyshire.
Any more suggestions???

[DD.]

Re sow & germinate them somewhere cooler!

[mad mark]

Got no seed left, will they be okay if I put them in a cold greenhouse? Dont want to spend anymore money or will be in trouble with the OH....

[DD.]

Try re-potting then, but be very gentle as these plants are going to be extremely frail. I suggest a deep pot & bury as much of the stem as you can.

[mad mark]

Will do, bury deep and see how I go, thanks for that advice.....

[little sweetpeas]

I guess it's a bit warmer here, but, my courgettes have been in my unheated polytunnel foe a few weeks now and are really doing well have flowers already and at least one is a female flower.

[whippersnapper]

I dunno if this is completely wrong but I put mine out yesterday but under a ventilated cloche. Aren't they great at germinating! No probs at all...

See how I get on...if not got 6 seeds left 

[sunshineband]

Mine have only just poked up part of their seed leaves, so have a way to go yet