Courgettes - to stake or not to stake
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galwaybeginner Rank attained: Ash Tree

Joined: 05 Mar 2009 Posts: 236 Location: Galway, Ireland
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Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 9:31 pm Post subject: Courgettes - to stake or not to stake |
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OK, I can hear the echo of the laughter when you read this, but I've never seen a courgette plant in real life, and have some seedlings growing away indoors.
They are growing great, and I am holding off even thinking about outdoors as way too cold for them yet. At the moment they are spreading and curling away and I was wondering if I need to stake them up like tomatoes or beans, or are they meant to stay low?
Sorry if this is a ludicrously stupid question, but as it says in my name - 'beginner'!
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Redfox Rank attained: Hazel Tree


Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 34 Location: Dublin
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Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 9:47 pm Post subject: |
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Hi,
I secure them with a short pole. They will become quite heavy when the fruit develop. It's more to give them additional support in windy weather. The plant will grow to ~90cm hight, but all the fruit will develop on the lower part of the stem. You might be able to see a tinny courgette growing there... I still have mine in the house too. Its a bit early to plant them out without any cover. I will try some bell cloches and plant a couple of them out and see how it goes this coming weekend. As long as there is no frost and they are protected from the wind they should be fine
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galwaybeginner Rank attained: Ash Tree

Joined: 05 Mar 2009 Posts: 236 Location: Galway, Ireland
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michael brenock Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 1275 Location: cork
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Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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courgettes normally trail along the ground and don't need support. if they are grown in a polytunnel they will produce a lot of big leaves and take over a lot of space as much as 20 square feet. Grow them outside after hardening off in a well drained slightly raised bed of rich humus type soil. They are easy to grow but need warm weather for best results.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired).
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galwaybeginner Rank attained: Ash Tree

Joined: 05 Mar 2009 Posts: 236 Location: Galway, Ireland
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Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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20 square feet???? Wow, that's about the size of the whole tunnel. May have to reconsider them then.
Not sure about growing anything outside the tunnel here - lots of rabbits/hares. Everey flower/plant that's gone into the beds has been gone in 2 hours so presume same would happen to veg
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michael brenock Rank attained: Chlorophyll for blood
Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 1275 Location: cork
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Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 7:54 pm Post subject: |
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yes 20 sq feet is 4ft X5 ft so set up a protected area outside for your courgettes. pollination is also better outside,.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)
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galwaybeginner Rank attained: Ash Tree

Joined: 05 Mar 2009 Posts: 236 Location: Galway, Ireland
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Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 9:54 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Michael. Any idea if rabbits like courgettes? that's my big fear around here (middle of nowhere, but high population of rabbits!)
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OffalyGoodLife Rank attained: Hazel Tree

Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 27 Location: Co. Offaly
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Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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Any courgettes we've managed to grow (which, to be fair, isn't many) have tended to sprawl out over the ground from a pot. The pots have been located on gravel to avoid any risk of the courgette plants getting damp and/or rotting. If the courgettes themselves are growing on the ground, then a stone or brick underneath will help support them as they grow, especially if you want to encourage the odd marrow here and there.
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galwaybeginner Rank attained: Ash Tree

Joined: 05 Mar 2009 Posts: 236 Location: Galway, Ireland
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Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 10:20 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for that. I'll have to decide if I can spare the area in the tunnel. If it's there I'll not use gravel, but if it's outside I will give it a try.
I've lost so many flowering plants to rabbits/hares that I am reluctant to grow anythign other than grass outside the tunnel to be honest. But I think space is going to make it a necessity. But it's my first year so I don't mind makign mistakes - best way to learn!
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Redfox Rank attained: Hazel Tree


Joined: 04 Jan 2010 Posts: 34 Location: Dublin
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Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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If you keep them in the poly tunnel they will produce more leaves then if they are outside and less fruit. I had no good experience with them growing under cover. They do fine outside as long as they have some shelter.
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galwaybeginner Rank attained: Ash Tree

Joined: 05 Mar 2009 Posts: 236 Location: Galway, Ireland
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Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah, sounds like outside is the way to go. But as I say - rabbits fewasting on my crops/plants is my worry...
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