Vertical Courgette Cultivation Guide: My Easy, Innovative Method for a Prolific Harvest This Year
In the quest for a more efficient and productive vegetable garden, Lucy Hutchings, a gardening expert, suggests growing multipurpose squash like Tromboncino, Pineapple, or Kamo Kamo, or climbing varieties such as 'Black Forest', 'Wave Climber', and 'Shooting Star' (yellow fruited) for vertical growing and eating like courgettes when young. This approach offers several benefits, including improved space efficiency, enhanced pollination, and reduced disease susceptibility.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to train courgettes to grow vertically:
1. **Choose the Right Variety**: Opt for climbing or vining varieties of courgettes, as they have longer internodes, making them ideal for vertical growth.
2. **Provide Support**: Use a sturdy trellis, cage, or a fence that is at least 1.5 meters tall to support the vines. For container-grown courgettes, a smaller trellis can be sufficient.
3. **Train the Vines**: Start training the vines early by gently tying them to the support using twine or clips. Tie the stems at frequent intervals (about every few inches) to guide growth upwards.
4. **Prune and Maintain**: Remove any low-hanging foliage to encourage vertical growth and prevent diseases like powdery mildew. Regularly check and adjust the ties as the plant grows to ensure proper support and prevent damage to the stems.
5. **Water and Fertilize**: Ensure consistent moisture by watering every 2 to 3 days in dry weather. Zucchini and courgettes benefit from about one to two inches of water per week. Use a balanced fertilizer initially, then switch to a phosphorus-rich fertilizer during flowering and fruiting to promote fruit development.
Growing courgettes vertically offers numerous advantages. It saves space, improves airflow, and makes picking easier. Moreover, it reduces the risk of diseases like powdery mildew and protects against vine borers.
Courgettes, known for flopping and draping themselves across surrounding vegetables, require strong support, especially once the fruits start forming. A trellis, sturdy wigwam of canes, or growing up a fence are ideal for providing the necessary support.
Remember, courgettes need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day and should be planted in a warm, sheltered spot with fertile, free-draining soil. Sow one seed per small pot, about 2cm deep, and keep them warm and moist. Courgettes are hungry plants, so it's beneficial to dig in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
For those interested in open-pollinated seeds from heirloom or rare origins, She Grows Veg, founded by Lucy Hutchings, offers a range of seeds. Happy gardening!
Incorporating courgettes into a vertical garden design can enhance one's lifestyle, as it saves space, improves airflow, and makes harvesting easier. For those following home-and-garden trends, growing courgettes vertically can be an attractive gardening pursuit, providing numerous benefits and reducing the risks of diseases like powdery mildew.
