Courgette Grey

Courgette Grey: variety and characteristics

Courgette Grey (Cucurbita pepo) is an annual vegetable of the Gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). This courgette variety has a grey speckled skin and firm, soft flesh that is tasty, crunchy and tender when harvested at a length of under 20 cm.

This variety is excellent for transportation.

A spiny bush-type plant bears cylindrical fruits that taper slightly towards the stem end and take 55 days to harvest.

History records that Columbus brought this then-unknown member of the squash family back to Europe after his first voyage.

In Italy it acquired the name "zucchino", which means small squash.

Courgettes are the most generous vegetable in the garden — one plant bears fruit all summer. Suitable for frying, stuffing, baking and soups.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 97%
• Seeds per packet: 6–9 pcs (1 g)
• Seed origin: Italy
• Sowing: April; direct or seedlings
• Harvest: October
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Courgette Grey

Courgette Grey seeds are sown in April. Harvest takes place in October. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Courgette Grey

• Sowing method: direct or seedlings
• Depth: 2–3 cm
• Spacing: 80–100 cm
• Germination: 5–8 days at 20–25 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Sow directly or make indoor transplants after the last frost date. Do not let transplants become root-bound and do not disturb the roots when transplanting. Pick often as soon as you see the courgettes reach about 20 cm. Once the plant starts to produce ripe courgettes, they should be picked every day or two. Courgettes keep well in the refrigerator for about two weeks. Save seeds by cutting open a few of the last squashes of the season. Put the mixture in a bowl of water to remove the remaining pulp, and the good seeds will sink. Remove the good seeds and spread them out to dry for 2-3 weeks, stirring from time to time to make sure they dry completely. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place for up to 4 years.

Sow directly when the soil is above 15 °C, 2–3 seeds per station. Water at the base, not over the leaves — this protects against powdery mildew.

Harvest and use

Pick courgettes young, at 15–20 cm long: this way the plant keeps setting new fruit.

Frequently asked questions

When should Courgette Grey be sown?

The recommended sowing month is April. Sowing method: direct or seedlings.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 6–9 seeds, pack size 1 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 97%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

How many courgettes does one plant produce?

With regular picking, one plant yields 10–20 fruits per season.

When are courgettes sown outdoors?

After the last frosts — from the end of April to June. It can be sown in several batches for a harvest until autumn.