If you only have room for pots or have a tiny plot, Dobies has introduced these two courgettes for small gardens, and they’re self-pollinating. You don’t even need to grow Goldmine or Sure Thing from seed, as they are supplied as large, 2-litre potted plants in peat-free compost. Both are parthenocarpic (self-pollinating), meaning they set fruit without insects, even in poor summers. Read more about growing courgettes.
Courgette Goldmine
British-bred bush variety Goldmine is the first self-setting golden courgette. The golden fruits with pale cream stripes are ornamental in the garden and pretty on your plate. The open habit and spineless stems make for easier picking from July to September.
First, eat its flowers, which attract bees from June to August. It also shows better tolerance of powdery mildew than other varieties. High in vitamins A, C and E, leave the skins on when cooking for the maximum nutritional benefit. Ideal for stir-fries and kebabs.
Courgettes for small gardens – Sure Thing
The aptly named courgette Sure Thing is a good bet for beginners or for those who like their vegetables a more conventional colour. There’s no need for a garden, as Sure Thing is perfect for pots on a sunny patio or balcony.
If you’re in a really cold corner of the country, Sure Thing will fruit successfully in a greenhouse, as it doesn’t need any insects for pollination, so you’ll always get a good crop. In a greenhouse or outdoor bed, place plants 60cm apart to give them room to grow and plenty of fresh air to discourage powdery mildew.
Mature height and spread: 45cm x 90cm. Plants are dispatched from mid-June. Harden off and plant out after the last frosts and harvest from July to September. For more on courgettes for small gardens and current prices, visit www.dobies.co.uk.
