The Courgette
A Prolific Star for Urban Farms
André Ferreira
Kaskantine Urban Homesteading 2025
May 2025
From Ancient Seeds to Italian Kitchens
- Ancient: Mesoamerican origin (7,000+ years ago)
- Modern: Developed in Milan, Italy in late 19th century
- Family: Cucurbitaceae (squash relatives)
- Names: Courgette (UK/NL), Zucchini (IT/US)
A Rainbow of Varieties
- Green: 'Defender', 'Black Beauty'
- Yellow: 'Gold Rush'
- Round: 'One Ball', 'Tondo di Nizza'
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Space-saving:
- Compact: 'Venus', 'Astia'
- Climbing: 'Black Forest', 'Tromboncino'
Garden Companions & Conflicts
Good Neighbors
- Beans (nitrogen fixers)
- Corn (provides structure)
- Basil, Borage, Marigolds (attract pollinators)
- Onions, Leeks (deter pests)
- Lettuce (ground cover)
Bad Neighbors
- Potatoes (compete for nutrients)
- Other Cucurbits (share diseases/pests)
- Jerusalem artichoke (aggressive growth)
Growing Essentials
- Sun: Full sun, sheltered spot
- Soil: Rich, well-drained with compost
- Nutrients: Heavy feeder, needs regular feeding
- Water: Consistent moisture, water at base
- Space: 90cm between plants (1m²/plant)
- Containers: 45cm+ pots for compact varieties
- Pollination: Needs bees or hand-pollination
- Ideal temp: 18-24°C for growth
Courgette Calendar
- April-May: Sow indoors (18-21°C)
- Late May-June: Plant outdoors after frost risk
- July-October: Harvest when 10-20cm long
Risks & Challenges
Pests & Diseases
- Slugs & snails (young plants)
- Powdery mildew (in damp conditions)
- Grey mold (excessive humidity/poor air flow)
- Aphids (during dry, warm periods)
Climate Factors
- Zero frost tolerance
- Poor pollination in cool/wet weather
- Male flowers dominate in dry conditions
- Cucurbitacins (bitterness) from stress
Amsterdam Adaptation
- Start: Indoors essential for Dutch climate
- Location: Urban sun traps & shelter
- Disease: Monitor for mildew in damp weather
- Pollinators: Attract or hand-pollinate
- Space: Container growing on balconies
A Perfect Urban Crop
- Highly productive: 3-4 fruits weekly from one plant
- Space-efficient options for urban settings
- Adaptable to containers with proper care
- Harvest fruits and flowers
- Success keys: rich soil, consistent water, sun, pollination
Start with just 2-3 plants - you'll have plenty to share!