[Elcie]

Has anyone ever grown courgettes in a tyre?  I have a couple on the plot and looking at what I can put in them.  Is it too small for a courgette?

[Yorkie]

I'd probably stack a couple high in order to give sufficient depth for the roots (and to help it not dry out too much) but otherwise I think it's worth a go, yes.  They are hungry so make sure you add loads of chicken poo and fertiliser - or whatever else you have to hand

[Elcie]

I have some fertiliser someone gave me from a wormery (basically worm wee!) and some comfrey liquid.  Either of these any good?

[Yorkie]

Both will be ok (make sure they are properly diluted though or you'll burn your plants). 

However, as they are liquids, they don't persist in the soil so you'd need to re-apply every so often.  Slow-release granules like growmore or FBB break down and release nutrients over a longer period of time.

[sunshineband]

Grew courgettes intyres last yewar with the children at school -- some were two tyres high and some were three -- too many courgettes to eat from six plants !!!  Filled up the tyres with donated growbags

[peapod]

Im asking for advice on this thread too please 

I havent grown them before and hadnt realised they needed a square metre per plant. I was going to have two plants in that space - one for courgettes and one for the big marrow that OH wants to grow. Can I pick normal size courgettes off one plant while leaving a courgette on the same plant to grow to marrow size?

[sunshineband]

Im asking for advice on this thread too please 

I havent grown them before and hadnt realised they needed a square metre per plant. I was going to have two plants in that space - one for courgettes and one for the big marrow that OH wants to grow. Can I pick normal size courgettes off one plant while leaving a courgette on the same plant to grow to marrow size?

Sorry Peapod but this is not necessarily going to happne. Once the courgette plant has set proper developing seeds (ie growing a marrow) it stops flowering and so won't produce nay more courgettes. Last year one of ours in the tyres got a courgette left on, hidden under the leaves and this is what happened.

Maybe you could grow one plant unitl you have enough courgettes and then let one last one become a marrow? They do grow quick 

[peapod]

OO good idea SB! Thanks!

[sunshineband]

You're welcome 

[Paul Plots]

5 courgettes planted out about five days ago...into a cold-frame.... fleece at the ready!

Had lots of seeds so taking a chance... warmer by the sea 

Back-ups in pots and miles behind the first batch.

Courgette soup again 

[mad mark]

Do they require sunshine or will they be okay in part shade can anyone advice please?
Cheers.

[andreadon]

Im asking for advice on this thread too please 

I havent grown them before and hadnt realised they needed a square metre per plant. I was going to have two plants in that space - one for courgettes and one for the big marrow that OH wants to grow. Can I pick normal size courgettes off one plant while leaving a courgette on the same plant to grow to marrow size?

Sorry Peapod but this is not necessarily going to happne. Once the courgette plant has set proper developing seeds (ie growing a marrow) it stops flowering and so won't produce nay more courgettes. Last year one of ours in the tyres got a courgette left on, hidden under the leaves and this is what happened.

Maybe you could grow one plant unitl you have enough courgettes and then let one last one become a marrow? They do grow quick 

Unless you can make a raised bed and let them trail down the side?
or trailing in from somewhere else?
It's not the roots that need the space, it's the foliage, so if you can dig in the roots somewhere else, as long as there is room for the foliage to spread, you should be okay with 2 plants.
that's the only way i'd risk leaving a marrow on.

[peapod]

I can certainly find a place for the foliage..I thought it was root that needed the spread...could I tie them up a fence that is very sturdy?

[Paul Plots]

Trailing courgettes? I'm not sure they do a great deal 

I just bung them either straight on the plot (with enough room) or plonk them in a raised box much closer than 1m square per plant.I plant them near the edge of the box / bed and they dangle happily over.

My father has 5 in a standard sized cold-frame.... they will make it despite only having half or less than the recommended space.... just makes harvesting more interesting. 

I don't think you could tie them up very much as they appear to have more of a bush habit... 

[sunshineband]

I've never grown trailing courgettes, only the bush varieties. Am going to attempt some in Morrison flower buckets this year (at home so can keep them well fed/watered) but have most at school on the plot.

Maybe they are like other trailing squashes though and could be tied up .....