Courgette (Zucchini)
Cucurbita pepo
Courgettes are legendarily productive — two or three plants will supply a family all summer, and you'll still have surplus to give to neighbours. The key is harvesting regularly when fruits are small (15–20cm); left to grow, they become marrows overnight and the plant stops producing new fruits. Sow seeds on their edge (to prevent rotting) in pots under cover in April, and plant out after the last frost in late May. Give each plant a square metre of space and enrich the planting hole with a bucket of well-rotted compost. Water at the base, not over the leaves, to reduce powdery mildew risk. Yellow-fruited varieties like 'Soleil' are just as productive and easier to spot among the large leaves. The flowers are edible — stuff them with ricotta and deep-fry for an Italian-inspired treat. Male flowers (on thin stems) appear first; female flowers (with a tiny courgette behind them) follow shortly after.
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When to Sow Courgette (Zucchini)
Sow courgette (zucchini) in April, May, June.
Time to Harvest Courgette (Zucchini)
Expect to harvest approximately 2 months after sowing.
Companion Plants
Expected Yield
Each plant produces 15–25 fruits; 3–5kg per plant with regular picking.
Growing Tips
Harvest regularly to encourage production
Common Problems with Courgette (Zucchini)
Powdery mildew
A white powdery coating appears on the older leaves in mid to late summer, eventually causing them to yellow and die. This is partly inevitable, but you can delay it significantly by watering at the base rather than overhead, improving air circulation around the plant, and removing the worst-affected leaves. The plant will usually continue producing fruit even with some mildew present.
Poor pollination (misshapen or rotting fruit)
Small fruits that turn yellow and rot at the tip are a sign of incomplete pollination, common in cold or wet weather when pollinating insects are less active. Hand-pollinate by picking a male flower (thin stem, no swelling behind it), removing the petals, and dabbing the pollen-laden centre directly into a female flower (recognisable by the tiny courgette-shaped swelling behind the bloom).
Slugs on young plants
Slugs can demolish newly planted courgette seedlings overnight, eating through the soft stems at ground level. Protect transplants with individual cloches (cut plastic bottles work well), apply organic slug pellets around each plant, or use copper tape barriers. Once plants are established and growing strongly, they become much less vulnerable to slug damage.
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Cherry Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme
Cherry tomatoes are one of the most rewarding crops for UK allotment growers. These small, sweet fruits ripen reliably even in cooler summers, producing heavy trusses from July right through to October. They thrive in grow bags, pots, or directly in the ground, making them versatile for any plot size. Pinch out side shoots regularly on cordon varieties to channel energy into fruit production. Bush varieties like 'Tumbling Tom' need no training and work brilliantly in hanging baskets. Feed weekly with a high-potash tomato feed once the first fruits set. The key to great flavour is letting them ripen fully on the vine rather than picking early.
Beefsteak Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
Beefsteak tomatoes produce the large, meaty fruits that are perfect for slicing into sandwiches and burgers. They need a long growing season in the UK, so starting seeds early under cover is essential. These are almost always grown as cordons — train them up a single stem, removing side shoots weekly. Each truss produces fewer but much larger fruits than cherry types, often weighing 200–500g each. They benefit from greenhouse growing in cooler regions, though sheltered outdoor spots in the south can produce good results. Consistent watering is critical; irregular watering causes blossom end rot and fruit splitting. Stop the plant at 4–5 trusses to ensure fruits ripen before autumn.
Nantes Carrot
Daucus carota
Nantes carrots are the gold standard for flavour — sweet, crisp, and cylindrical with a smooth skin that barely needs peeling. They perform well in most UK soils but prefer light, stone-free ground to grow straight. If your soil is heavy clay, grow them in raised beds or deep containers filled with sandy compost. Sow thinly to avoid the need for heavy thinning, which attracts carrot fly. Cover rows with fine mesh or enviromesh as a physical barrier against carrot fly — this is far more reliable than companion planting alone. Successional sowing from March to July gives you carrots from June through to winter. Late sowings can be left in the ground over winter under a thick mulch of straw.
Butterhead Lettuce
Lactuca sativa
Butterhead lettuce produces soft, rounded heads with tender, buttery-textured leaves that melt in the mouth. It's one of the quickest salad crops to grow — ready in as little as 8 weeks from sowing. Unlike iceberg types, butterheads tolerate partial shade and are less likely to bolt in warm spells. Sow small batches every 2–3 weeks from March to September for a continuous supply. They work well as an intercrop between slower-growing vegetables like brassicas and leeks. Water consistently but avoid wetting the leaves to reduce the risk of grey mould. 'All the Year Round' is the classic UK variety and lives up to its name, performing well in almost every season.