Collection of Two Courgettes - Young Grafted Plants

Twin grafts of courgette plants: 'Kimber F1' with bright green fruits that yield abundant harvests even in difficult conditions; and 'Sebring F1' with bright yellow, long, slender, and cylindrical courgettes. Grafted plants provide additional vigor that helps courgettes establish and produce more quickly.

The ocurgette (Cucurbita pepo) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, like other squashes (pumpkin, patidou, butternut, acorn squash, pattypan, kabocha...). They all originate from America and were introduced to Europe in the 16th century. Easily hybridising, squashes exhibit a wide diversity of colours (orange, green, red, yellow, black, and even blue), sizes, and shapes.

The courgette is an annual plant, with an upright habit, offering beautiful yellow flowers from May to October. It is harvested when young, i.e. before complete development. The majority of varieties are non-climbing, but there are a few vine varieties that spread on the ground and require pinching. Courgettes can be round or long, usually green but sometimes yellow or white.

In cooking, courgettes are often cooked: sautéed, fried, in gratins, soups, or stuffed, and of course, they are part of the ratatouille. Courgettes can also be eaten raw, grated and mixed with other raw vegetables.

They are fruits that require regular watering. They love heat and sun and appreciate sheltered locations.

The harvest: this takes place from July to October, by cutting the fruits with pruning shears. Harvest young and tender courgettes, without letting them grow too big (on average every 2 days during peak season). Regular harvesting will promote the development of new fruits. You can also pick the male flowers (preferably in the morning), which can be eaten fried or stuffed. Male flowers, which do not produce fruits, appear on thin, long, non-swollen stems.

Storage: Courgettes can be stored for a few days at room temperature or in the lower part of the refrigerator, and they can be cut into pieces and frozen for several months.

Gardener's tip: place a slate or a tile under the fruit. It will no longer be in direct contact with the ground, thus avoiding rotting due to moisture.