Courgette, 'Black Beauty Dark Fog'

Germination

If planting early sow indoors into individual pots of seed compost, 20mm deep, plant seed on its side place under glass at 21°C and keep moist. When 2 true leaves appear prick off into 8cm pots. Acclimatise in May-June before planting out in final position. Can be sown directly from May 20mm deep, 2-3 seeds together to encourage pollination, 60cm apart. When harvesting check fruit flavour, do not eat very bitter fruit.

Growing

Keep well watered, can be fed weekly.

Cultivation

Harvest as required. The bitter taste of some fruit is caused by naturally occurring chemicals called Curcurbitacins. Bitter fruit should not be eaten as it can cause stomach upset. To identify bitter fruit simply lick a slice from the fruit, if bitter discard the fruit. Bitter fruit are uncommon. Cool summer weather can inhibit growth as this plant needs pollination to fruit. Harvest when fruit is 15cm long.