Zucchini Alberello

Cucurbita pepo

Classic light green courgettes with light aromatic flesh.

Courgettes can be sown in pots at the end of April and when they have produced their first true leaves transplant them to a permanent place, but not before the end of frost danger (15 May).  Alternatively, they can be sown directly to a permanent place at that time. When planting in a permanent place, make sure that the plant has enough space, so plant them at least 50 cm apart. Courgettes like strong soil, so do not plant them in poor soil, but they do very well on the edge of a compost heap, for example. Pumpkins are also poorly tolerant of drought, so water them occasionally during dry times.

If you want to have a lot of fruit, harvest young courgettes up to 25 cm in size. If left, they can grow up to 150 cm long. Riped courgettes can be stored like normal pumpkins, at a temperature of about 10 degrees they will keep until about February. Riped courgettes must be peeled and the seeds removed before use, while young courgettes can be used whole.