Zucchini dreams bumper harvest

IEXPECT we’ve all planted our courgettes so getting the best harvest is what matters now. We’ll want a steady supply of small, appetising fruits and to avoid large, tasteless marrows that reduce future cropping. After planting in warm, fertile soil, we must water generously. These large plants have huge leaves that transpire copious amounts of water, which need replacing to maintain health and productivity.

Huge leaves also act as umbrellas, keeping the soil beneath very dry and even during a period of heavy rain, very little gets where it’s needed. This also makes watering none too easy, as you need to aim the watering can spout between the leaves. Even then, getting the water to ever-expanding roots isn’t always easy.

My leaky hose system, placed round the courgette after planting, works well. But I’ve found irrigation spikes won’t cut it; they quickly clog up and, even when working, they rarely keep plants moist enough. Instead of this, try a handy bit of recycling. Take a couple of two-litre or larger plastic bottles with the caps on, pierce four or five holes at the top of the bottle and cut off the bottom. Insert the bottle 5-7cm into the soil, 15cm away from the plant, fill with water and replace the cap to keep most insects out. The small holes allow enough air in to let water escape from the bottle.

This also makes adding liquid feed really easy. Courgettes are greedy as well as thirsty.

Monitor the frequency of watering needed according to the size of the plant and weather conditions. The sunnier it is, the more you must water. Do the finger