Vegetable
Courgette / Zucchini
Cucurbita pepo
One plant feeds a household. Use a big pot (40 L+).
Full sun
Regular
Rich
Easy
Yes
Fruit
Annual
Tender
40 L
35 cm
Flower
Nasturtium
Trailing nasturtiums shade the soil and decoy aphids.
Flower
Borage
Borage attracts bees enhancing courgette pollination and its hairy leaves trap aphids and spider mites that affect courgettes.
Flower
Marigold
Marigolds repel spider mites and whiteflies that attack courgettes while their peppery scent deters larger pests like squash bugs.
Situations where this plant is a reliable fit — from someone's kitchen sill to a wind-blown rooftop.
Recipes in the library that lean on this plant. Grown at home is grown for a reason.
Where to source
Get growing in United Kingdom
Shop local first
The best plants come from a real nursery, and the best trowel comes from the old-fashioned ironmonger down the road — people who know their stock and can advise. Try local first, both for the plant and the kit. It keeps small growers and small hardware shops alive.
Searching near London
For pots, compost, seed trays, twine and other kit — Amazon has the essentials if the local option isn't right. Not a plant nursery; use the local map above for the plant itself.
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