Thompson & Morgan Courgette Defender F1 Hybrid

Product description

Description

This customer favourite crops early, offering a long picking season and yields almost twice that of other varieties. Courgette 'Defender' has an open habit which lets you easily see and pick the heavy, solid mid-green courgettes. This RHS AGM variety also has excellent resistance to Cucumber Mosaic Virus. Height: 45cm (18"). Spread: 90cm (36").

Sowing

Sow courgette seed indoors from April to May for transplanting later on, or direct sow outdoors from late May to June. Prepare the soil in early spring by adding plenty of well rotted farmyard manure to improve its structure and fertility.

Indoors, sow seed at a depth of 2cm ( 3/4") in 7.5cm (3") pots of free-draining, seed sowing compost. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a plastic bag at a temperature of 20-25C (68-77F) until germination which takes 5-7 days. Do not exclude light, as this helps germination. Once germinated, grow courgettes on in cooler conditions until all risk of frost has passed and courgette plants are large enough to be transplanted. Gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over 7 - 10 days before planting courgettes outdoors in rich fertile, well drained soil in full sun at a distance of 90cm (36") apart. Cover with a protective netting or fleece to prevent attack from birds and insects. When growing courgettes, a thick mulch of organic matter spread around the plants will help to conserve moisture at the roots.

Alternatively direct sow courgettes outdoors at a depth of 2cm ( 3/4") and a distance of 90cm (36") apart. Sow 2 seeds per station and thin out the weakest seedling per station after germination.

More Info

Water courgettes regularly - do not allow the soil to dry out as this will impair their development. Hoe between plants regularly to prevent weeds from establishing. Courgettes appreciate an application of a high potash fertiliser every two weeks during the growing season. Hand pollinating courgettes is not usually required when they are grown outdoors. However, for indoor cultivation the female flowers can be fertilised by pressing a male flower against them. Begin harvesting courgettes from midsummer onwards when they are 10cm (4") long. Regular harvesting will encourage more courgettes to be produced. Culinary note: Courgette flowers are edible and can be eaten cooked or added raw to salads.

Delivery & returns

Delivery

We are currently only able to deliver to the UK Mainland, please see below to ensure that you fall into this category.

Our delivery charges are based on the weight of the items ordered. For smaller parcels we charge £3.99. For larger or bulky items we charge £8.99 per consignment.

Royal Mail		Courier
UK Including Scottish Highlands (AB36-38, AB55-56, FK17-21, IV1-39, IV52-54, IV63, KW1-14, PA21-40, PH19-26, PH30-41, PH49-50), Scottish Islands (HS1-9, IV40-51, IV55-56, KA27-28, KW15-17, PA20, PA41-49, PA60-78, PH42-44, ZE1-3), Northern Ireland (BT), Channel Islands (GY & JE), Isle of Man (IM), Scilly Isles (TR21-25)		UK Mainland Excluding Scottish Highlands (AB36-38, AB55-56, FK17-21, IV1-39, IV52-54, IV63, KW1-14, PA21-40, PH19-26, PH30-41, PH49-50), Scottish Islands (HS1-9, IV40-51, IV55-56, KA27-28, KW15-17, PA20, PA41-49, PA60-78, PH42-44, ZE1-3), Northern Ireland (BT), Channel Islands (GY & JE), Isle of Man (IM), Scilly Isles (TR21-25)
Royal Mail 48	Age Restricted Products E.g. Knives	£8.99
£3.99	£6.99

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Returns

You can return an item to us for either exchange or refund within 21 days of receiving it, providing that the product is unused, and in the condition that it arrived in, including any packaging. The only exceptions to this are items that have been made to order, customised to order, perishable goods or audio or visual recordings or computer software if the item has been unsealed.

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