- Botanical name: Cucurbita pepo 'Defender'
- Common name: Courgette
- Family: Cucurbitaceae
- Plant Type: Vegetable
- Key features:
- Prefers rich soil
- Attractive to wildlife
Courgettes are tender, spreading plants with large, mottled green leaves and long, slim fruit which are usually harvested when they are about 10cm (4in) long. The fruits typically have a nutty, creamy flavour. They can be eaten raw as crudités and in salads, or pan-fried, roasted or steamed and used in a variety of dishes. They are easy to grow and make the perfect, high-yielding crop for the beginner veg grower.
Cucurbita pepo ‘Defender’ is a heavy cropping courgette with an open habit for easier picking. It also shows a good degree of resistance to cucumber mosaic virus. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
For best results grow Cucurbita pepo ‘Defender’ in rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Protect young plants from slugs and snails.
How to grow Cucurbita 'Defender'
-
Plant size
50cm height
90cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Tender
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / chalky / alkaline / acidic
- Plant care: Needs regular watering in pots
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Fruits | ||||||||||||
| Fruits |
J
Plant does not fruit in January |
F
Plant does not fruit in February |
M
Plant does not fruit in March |
A
Plant does not fruit in April |
M
Plant does not fruit in May |
J
Plant does not fruit in June |
J
Plant does fruit in July |
A
Plant does fruit in August |
S
Plant does fruit in September |
O
Plant does not fruit in October |
N
Plant does not fruit in November |
D
Plant does not fruit in December |
| Harvest | ||||||||||||
| Harvest |
J
Do not Harvest in January |
F
Do not Harvest in February |
M
Do not Harvest in March |
A
Do not Harvest in April |
M
Do not Harvest in May |
J
Do not Harvest in June |
J
Do Harvest in July |
A
Do Harvest in August |
S
Do Harvest in September |
O
Do not Harvest in October |
N
Do not Harvest in November |
D
Do not Harvest in December |
Cucurbita 'Defender' and wildlife
Cucurbita 'Defender' is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Cucurbita 'Defender' poisonous?
Cucurbita 'Defender' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Cucurbita 'Defender'
