Growing Courgettes Vertically
Can you grow Courgettes or Zucchini vertically? The answer is yes you can! There are many varieties of courgettes and zucchini from long courgettes to round ones. You can also get courgettes that grow vertically. This is ideal if you are limited to space in the garden or the allotment. In this article we are going to explain all about growing courgettes vertically.
Title: Elevating Gardening: A Vertical Approach to Growing Courgettes
Introduction:
In the ever-evolving world of gardening, enthusiasts and horticulturists are continually exploring innovative methods to maximize space, increase yields, and enhance the overall efficiency of their cultivation practices. One such groundbreaking technique that has gained popularity is the vertical cultivation of vegetables. Among these, growing courgettes vertically has emerged as a promising and space-efficient approach that not only conserves ground space but also offers a host of benefits for both seasoned and novice gardeners.
Traditionally known for their sprawling vines and broad leaves, courgette plants may seem unsuitable for vertical growth at first glance. However, by harnessing the potential of vertical gardening structures, such as trellises, arbors, or specially designed containers, gardeners can unlock a myriad of advantages. This innovative approach not only enables gardeners to make the most of limited space but also promotes better air circulation, sunlight exposure, and easier pest management.
In this exploration of growing courgettes vertically, we will delve into the various methods, structures, and considerations that can contribute to a successful vertical courgette garden. From choosing the right varieties to understanding the importance of proper support systems, this guide aims to equip you with the knowledge and inspiration to elevate your gardening experience and reap the rewards of a bountiful vertical courgette harvest. Let’s embark on a journey to reimagine traditional gardening practices and embrace the upward trend of cultivating courgettes in a whole new dimension.
Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book
Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-
You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.
Vertical Courgette Varieties
There are a few climbing courgette Zucchini varieties that you can try growing in the garden which means growing your courgette plants vertically up a frame rather than on the ground. Growing courgettes vertically are ideal if you don’t have much space or you would like to protect the courgette fruit from getting nibbled on while sitting on the ground. Here are some vertical courgette varieties you can try growing.
- Tromboncino d’Albenga – these can actually grow to a length of 1m if you are not careful. Obviously the more you pick the courgettes the more will grow on the plant. The plant can grow up to a length of 4 meters so be prepared to keep tying it up.
- Shooting Star F1 – these courgettes are yellow in colour and round in shape. The courgette balls will grow to a length of 20cm. These can produce great harvests.
- Black Forest F1ˈ– These vertical courgette plants are also round in shape but these are green in colour. This courgette plant will also produce fantastic amounts of fruit.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Courgettes
Whether you are growing normal courgettes or vertical courgettes they are all filled with great benefits. Courgettes are filled with vitamin C and potassium which is good for the muscles.
How to Grow Vertical Courgettes
When you are growing vertical courgettes you need to think of the best place to grow them. Unlike normal courgettes, they don’t require much space as they grow upwards. In this article, we will be giving you the best gardening and allotment tips on how to grow your courgettes vertically.
When to sow, plant, and harvest vertical courgettes
Here is an easy table to show you the dates you need for your courgettes. This chart is for the UK – remember that this is a guide and will all depend on the weather and how warm it is.
| Sow | April |
| Plant | Late May – June |
| Harvest | July to October |
Best place to grow Vertical Courgettes
When growing vertical courgettes or any type of courgette you need to find a great area in the garden. The best place is an open sunny spot. You ideally need somewhere that will attract the bees as they help pollinate the courgette flowers. When looking for the best place to grow a vertical courgette it can either be in the ground or in a large pot outside.
The best soil to grow Vertical Courgettes
Choosing the best type of soil to grow courgettes is usually good well-draining soil that has lots of nutrition mixed in with it. This will help get better results from the plant. Make sure that the nutrition is well rotted down when mixing in.
How to sow Vertical Courgette seeds
To sow your vertical courgette seeds is really easy and you can get the kids involved as the seeds are a great size to handle.
When sowing courgette seeds it’s best to get them growing in individual pots. This saves the time of having to transplant them when they get growing.
First, you need to get a small plant pot and fill it halfway up with compost. Get one of your courgette seeds and place it in the middle of your plant pot and cover it with soil. Make sure you then water the compost. You can cover the top with cling film which will then keep the soil moist and warm.
Place the plant pot on a window or in a greenhouse. Once the seed germinates you can take the clingfilm off.
Courgette seeds are very good at germinating so only sow what you plan on growing with a few spare in case they get eaten.
Planting your Vertical Courgettes
It will take around 16-21 days for your vertical courgettes to start to germinate in the greenhouse, possibly faster in the house. Leave the courgettes to grow qute big if the pots are not big enough transplant them to a larger one and continue growing in the greenhouse.
Do not plant out your courgettes until the chance of frost has passed or it could kill the plants off. You will be looking at planting them outside around June time.
When planting outside prepare a hole to put them in, and add some nutrition into the ground for the plants to feed off. This can be plant food or well-broken-down manure. Plant your courgette plants out in the garden or in a pot whichever way you are growing. As you are growing vertical courgettes you will need to have a frame of some type to fasten them to.
Looking after your Vertical Courgettes
Vertical Courgettes do not need a lot of looking after. Once they have started growing well they can pretty much look after themselves.
The main thing for courgettes is to keep them watered and looked after. When you have planted your courgette sink a plastic plant pot in the side of the courgette plant, make sure it has holes in the bottom of it as you are going to water into the plant pot rather than the side of the courgette plant as watering the courgette plant can rot the stem and snap your plant whereas watering into a plant pot will direct all the water to the roots of the plant.
As your courgette plants start to grow vertically keep tying them to the frame to support them.
How to feed Vertical Courgettes
Your vertical courgettes will require regular feeding to get great crops from your plants. The best way of feeding your courgette plants is to use tomato feed. This is usually used once a week when the courgette plants start to flower. This will help provide more fruit on your courgette plants.
Below is a link to the recommended product we suggest for feeding your tomatoes.
Harvesting Vertical Courgettes
Some vertical courgettes can grow really long. However the more you pick the courgettes the more produce you will get from your plant as it is not concentrating on growing the one you have pulled off. So when your courgette gets to the size you want just snip it off with a pair of secateurs.
Vertical Courgette Pests and Diseases
As with most courgettes, Vertical courgettes are still prone to be affected by pests and diseases. These include:-
Vertical Courgette Pests:-
The pests which are common to affecting Moneymaker tomatoes are:-
- Aphids
- Slugs
- Snails
- Red Spider Mite
All bugs can be prevented from attacking your crops.
Vertical Courgette Diseases:-
Powdery Mildew:- This can be caused in the warm and dry season of summer. To prevent this from happening you can add mulch around the base of the plant or add well-rotted manure to the planting area to keep the ground moist.
Vertical Courgette Questions
Here you will find some of the common questions asked about Shirley Tomato Plants
How do you stake a zucchini vertically?
Place some stakes or trellis behind the courgette zucchini plant. This will ideally need to be around 5-6 feet tall. Keep tying to the trellis as it grows taller. Gently tie with garden string.
How tall do climbing courgettes grow?
Vertical courgette plants can grow quite tall depending on the variety, they can grow upto 200cm tall.
Can zucchini squash be grown vertically?
Yes, Zucchini and squash can be grown vertically to save space. You can grow them up a trellis or up an arch just keep tying them ad training them up the trellis.
Conclusion
Conclusion:
Embracing the vertical approach to growing courgettes opens a gateway to a realm of possibilities for gardeners seeking sustainable, space-efficient, and visually captivating cultivation methods. As we conclude our exploration into the world of vertical gardening for courgettes, it becomes evident that this innovative technique is not merely a departure from conventional practices but a harmonious fusion of ingenuity and horticultural wisdom.
The advantages of growing courgettes vertically extend far beyond the conservation of ground space. From improved sunlight exposure that enhances photosynthesis to the facilitation of better air circulation, vertical gardening offers a holistic solution to the challenges posed by limited garden space. The use of trellises, arbors, and containers transforms the courgette garden into a vertical tapestry, both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
In the journey towards a successful vertical courgette garden, selecting the right varieties, providing adequate support, and maintaining vigilant care are paramount. However, the rewards are abundant – not only in the form of a plentiful harvest but also in the joy of cultivating a garden that defies traditional constraints.
As we bid farewell to the traditional sprawl of courgette vines and embrace the upward growth, we encourage every gardener to experiment, adapt, and relish the benefits of this transformative gardening approach. Growing courgettes vertically is more than a trend; it’s a testament to the resilience and adaptability of nature, harmonizing with our desire to cultivate in harmony with the environment and maximize the potential of every inch of available space. May your vertical courgette garden stand tall, both as a testament to your horticultural prowess and a beacon of inspiration for others to follow suit in the ever-evolving world of gardening. Happy cultivating!
Do you want to know the difference between zucchini and courgette? Find out here.
