Planting Courgettes Outside | A Complete Guide to Growing Zucchini in the Garden

Introduction: Grow Big, Beautiful Courgettes in Your Back Garden

Courgettes (also known as zucchini) are one of the easiest and most productive vegetables to grow at home. Whether you want to grill them, bake with them, or spiralise them into noodles, courgettes are versatile, nutritious, and incredibly rewarding to grow.

Once the weather warms up, planting courgettes outside gives them the space and sunshine they need to thrive. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to plant courgettes outdoors, when to do it, and how to care for them so you can enjoy weeks of harvest from just a few plants.

1. When to Plant Courgettes Outside (UK Guide)

Courgettes are frost-sensitive, so timing is crucial.

Key planting window:

• Late May to early June, once all danger of frost has passed
• In warmer parts of the UK, you may plant in mid-May under cloches or fleece

If you’ve started courgettes indoors in April, harden them off for 7–10 days before planting them out.

2. Choosing the Right Spot for Courgettes

Courgettes love:

• Full sun — at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight
• Sheltered locations — protect from strong wind
• Rich, well-drained soil — full of compost or rotted manure

Courgettes need space to spread. Some bush types are more compact, but trailing varieties will sprawl — plan for each plant to take up about 1m².

3. Preparing the Soil for Courgettes

Courgettes are hungry plants that thrive in fertile, moisture-retentive soil.

Steps:

1. Clear weeds and debris
2. Dig in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure — a full bucket per planting hole is ideal
3. Rake the area level
4. If the soil is heavy, improve drainage with grit or sand

Some gardeners plant courgettes into compost-filled pits or heaps — an excellent way to grow them.

4. Spacing for Outdoor Courgette Plants

Proper spacing prevents overcrowding and ensures airflow.

Allowing enough room encourages better growth, reduces disease, and makes harvesting easier.

5. How to Plant Courgettes Outside (Step-by-Step)

1. Dig a hole large enough for the rootball
2. Mix in a handful of slow-release fertiliser or chicken manure pellets
3. Place the plant in the hole so the soil level is the same as in the pot
4. Firm the soil gently around the base
5. Water well after planting
6. Add a layer of organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds

If planting into a compost heap or raised bed, plant directly into the mound and let it sprawl.

6. Watering and Feeding Courgettes Outdoors

Courgettes are thirsty plants and need regular care.

Watering tips:

• Water deeply 2–3 times a week in dry weather
• Avoid wetting the leaves — water at the base
• In hot weather, water every day

Feeding:

• Use a high-potassium fertiliser (like tomato feed) every 10–14 days from flowering onwards
• Add compost tea or seaweed extract for an organic boost

Mulching with compost or straw helps retain moisture and improve soil quality.

7. Growing Courgettes from Seed Directly Outdoors

If you haven’t started courgettes indoors, you can sow seeds directly outdoors once the risk of frost is over.

How to direct sow:

1. Sow seeds 2.5cm deep into prepared soil
2. Sow 2 seeds per spot, 90cm apart
3. Once seedlings emerge, thin to the strongest one
4. Protect young plants with cloches or fleece if nights are still cool

Direct sowing is easy, but it will give you a later harvest compared to transplanting young plants.

8. Supporting and Training Courgette Plants

Most courgette varieties don’t need support, but trailing types or vertical gardening setups may benefit.

• Use a trellis or frame to train plants upwards
• Gently tie stems with soft ties as they grow
• Saves space and keeps fruit off the ground

Compact bush varieties can be left to sprawl naturally.

9. Pollination and Fruit Formation

Courgettes produce male and female flowers. Bees and insects transfer pollen, but you can also hand-pollinate.

Hand-pollinating:

1. Identify male flowers (thin stems) and female flowers (tiny fruit behind petals)
2. Use a soft brush or remove a male flower and gently touch the centre to the female flower
3. Do this in the morning when flowers are open

This ensures fruit sets, especially in bad weather or low pollinator areas.

10. Harvesting Courgettes

Courgettes grow quickly — check them every day once they start forming!

Harvest tips:

• Pick when they’re 15–20cm long for best taste and texture
• Harvest regularly to encourage more fruit
• Use secateurs or a sharp knife to avoid damaging the plant
• You can also harvest baby courgettes with flowers attached

Left too long, courgettes turn into marrows and become watery or seedy.

11. Common Problems When Growing Courgettes Outside

Keeping plants well spaced and well watered goes a long way to preventing problems.

12. Growing Courgettes in Raised Beds or Containers

If your garden soil isn’t ideal, raised beds and containers work brilliantly.

Tips for containers:

• Use 50L+ pots for one plant
• Add slow-release fertiliser at planting
• Water every day in hot weather
• Mulch to conserve moisture
• Support the plant if needed as it grows

Courgettes in containers dry out quickly, so consistent care is key.

13. Courgette Varieties to Grow Outdoors

Mixing varieties adds visual interest and a variety of uses in the kitchen.

14. Can You Leave Courgettes Outside Overnight?

Yes — once established and after the risk of frost has passed, courgettes are perfectly happy outside overnight.

Young plants need hardening off before being left out full-time:

• Start by putting them out during the day for a week
• Bring them inside at night
• Gradually acclimate over 7–10 days

Use fleece or cloches for protection during unexpected cold snaps.

15. Using and Storing Courgette Harvests

Courgettes are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have a glut:

Use ideas:

• Stir-fries, pasta, soups, grilled or roasted
• Courgette cake or fritters
• Spiralised as a low-carb noodle replacement
• Stuffed and baked

Storing:

• Keep in fridge for up to a week
• Freeze grated courgette for baking
• Make chutneys or pickles for longer storage

Regular harvesting prevents gluts and encourages steady production.

Conclusion: Courgettes Made Easy for the Outdoor Gardener

With just a little space, rich soil, and regular care, planting courgettes outside is one of the most rewarding summer gardening experiences. A single plant can provide dozens of fruits, and with proper watering, feeding, and harvesting, your courgette patch will be a powerhouse of productivity.

Whether you’re planting in a raised bed, compost heap, or a sunny corner of your garden, give your courgettes the space and support they need — and they’ll reward you with weeks of fresh, homegrown food.

Top 10 FAQs: Planting Courgettes Outside

1. When can I plant courgettes outside?

From mid to late May, once all danger of frost has passed.

2. How far apart should I space courgette plants?

75–90cm apart for bush types, 1m+ for trailing varieties.

3. Can I plant courgettes straight into the ground?

Yes — just make sure the soil is rich, well-drained, and frost-free.

4. Do courgettes need full sun?

Yes — they thrive with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

5. How often should I water courgettes outdoors?

2–3 times a week, more during hot or dry weather.

6. Can I sow courgette seeds directly outside?

Yes, after the last frost. Sow 2.5cm deep, thin to strongest seedling.

7. Do I need to support courgette plants?

Bush types don’t need support; trailing types benefit from a frame or trellis.

8. Why are my courgettes rotting on the plant?

Usually blossom-end rot due to uneven watering or poor pollination.

9. Can I grow courgettes in containers?

Absolutely — one plant per 50L pot with regular watering and feeding.

10. How do I encourage more courgettes?

Harvest regularly, feed every two weeks, and keep plants well watered.