Courgette ‘Black Forest’ is a climbing Zucchini; an F1 Hybrid, latin name Cucurbita pepo.
This climbing Courgette is an ideal variety for growing in containers on the patio. As it grows upwards it saves space and is more ‘controlable’.
The long stems are tied onto a trellis or netting to help them grow upwards.
courgette black forest
Courgette Black Forest:
- produces heavy yields
- dark green, smooth, cylindrical 15cm (6”) courgettes
- height: 120cm (48″)
- spread: 60cm (24″)
- sow in April, May or June
- flowers June – August
- likes full sun
Click this link to buy some seed of the climbing Zucchini Courgette Black Forest.
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The two most important virus infections of courgettes are cucumber mosaic virus & zucchini yellow mosaic virus.
If the virus appears in the courgette plants:
- there is no cure or treatment
- it is spread by aphids & by knives cutting the courgettes off the vines
- virus resistant varieties can be grown (e.g. Defender, Primula, Supremo, Tarmino, Zucchino).
mildew-resistant-courgette
The two most important diseases of courgettes are the mosaic virus and powdery mildew.
If the virus appears in the courgette plants there is no cure or treatment it is spread by aphids & by knives cutting the courgettes off the vines Virus resistant varieties can be grown (e.g. Supremo, Tarmino, Zucchino, Defender).
Courgette or marrow jam is a pleasant solution to a courgette glut.
courgette-glut
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds courgette or marrow deseeded – in skin unless very tough- chopped
- 6 lemons – sliced really thinly with skin
- 2 pounds preserving sugar
Method:
- Place chopped cougette/marrow in pan with finely sliced lemons
- Add cold water so that the mixture is only just covered
- Cook the mixture very gently until it is really soft
- Add the preserving sugar & simmer gently, stirring all the while, until the sugar is dissolved
- Turn the heat up and boil rapidly until setting point is reached
- Setting point will be reached when a small drop of the mixture solidifies when it touches a cold plate
- Pour the courgette / marrow jam into warmed, sterilised jars & seal
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The abundance of courgettes in the vegetable garden prompts the search for more innovative recipes! Elaine Borish has written a book called “What will I do with All Those Courgettes?”
We enjoy our own recipe for courgettes on toast:
Add some crushed garlic to hot olive oil in a pan. Stir in 4 or 6 chopped courgettes. When sizzling gently, put the lid on the pan and turn off the heat. After 10 minutes place on buttered toast. Chopped bacon fried before adding the courgettes is a good variation!
Waitrose have a delicious, quick and easy courgette tagliatelle recipe.
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Squash are classified as Summer or Winter Squash, depending on how long the fruit will store.
giant-pumpkin
It is useful to be able to grow both summer and winter squash to add variety in the kitchen.
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Mildew in courgettes shortens the growing season.
mildew-on-courgette-leaf
The courgette Venus F1 hybrid has succumbed to courgette and has died very quickly.
mildewed-courgette-plant
The courgette Dundoo F1 is tolerant to powdery mildew and is still looking well, & producing courgettes, although it is planted next to a Venus which is covered in mildew spores.
mildew-resistant-courgette
The Dundoo courgette plants have given huge yields of glossy, dark green courgettes. As well as being mildew tolerant it has the added advantage of a large open bush habit which makes picking easy.
Although mildew has shortened the season in the Venus courgettes, the Dundoo season continues & will be prolonged by covering it with a cloche to protect from the frost.
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Plant courgettes in open soil, on a mound.
Courgettes do well when planted on raised mounds of open, fibrous
material, such as compost, leaf mould or strawy manure dug into the soil
to keep it open.
CourgettePlant-on-hill
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Squash are various tendril-bearing plants of the genus Cucurbita.
Squash are usually eaten as a vegetable, although botanically they are fruit.
Squash have:
* a creeping vine with five-lobed leaves and tendrils
courgette-plant
* large, unisexual, yellow flowers
courgette-flowers
* fleshy edible fruit with a leathery rind
There are two types of squash, which differ according to how long the fruit will store.
- Summer squash is less mature and smaller, and will not store long. Courgettes & zucchinis are examples of summer squash.
courgette
- Winter squash is more mature and can be kept and eaten at a later date. Spaghetti squash, acorn squash and pumpkins are examples of winter squash.
pumpkins
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late-courgette-flower
If you pick the flowers do you sacrifice the courgette?
Once the flower has been pollinated it has fulfilled its function and
will drop off, so you don’t need to worry that picking the flower will
sacrifice the courgette. You can have both the flower and the courgette!
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