Zucchini Sebring F1 plants - Cucurbita pepo

The 'Sebring' F1 Courgette is a vigorous and early hybrid variety that produces long, slim, and cylindrical bright yellow courgettes. The fleshy fruits have a good flavour. The Courgette is an easy-to-grow vegetable plant that allows for abundant harvesting. In cooking, it is often used cooked: sautéed, fried, in gratin, soup, or stuffed, and of course, it is part of the ingredients of ratatouille. The Courgette can also be consumed raw, grated, and mixed with other raw vegetables. The plants are planted from April to July, after the last frost, for a harvest from July to October.

The Courgette (Cucurbita pepo) is a summer Squash belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family, like other Squashes (pumpkin,, butternut, acorn squash, pattypan, kabocha etc.). They are all native to the Americas and were taken to Europe in the 16th century. Easily hybridising, squashes present a great diversity of colours (orange, green, red, yellow, black, or 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 immature, i.e., before its complete development. The majority of varieties are non-vining, but there are some vining varieties that spread on the ground and will need to be pinched. Courgettes can be round or long, generally green but sometimes yellow or white.

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

They are fruity vegetables that need regular watering to give their best. They love heat and sun and appreciate sheltered spots.

Harvest: It takes place from July to October, by cutting the fruits with secateurs. Pick young and tender Courgettes, without letting them grow too big (picking on average every 2 days in 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 consumed in fritters or stuffed. Male flowers, which will not produce fruits, appear on the thin and long, non-swollen stems.

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

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