How do you know when courgettes are ready for picking?

Question

I tried growing them for the first time this year and there is one courgette that has grown quite large but I don't know whether it has finished growing yet.

Any one know?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

They (zucchini) seem to loose some flavor and texture as they grow larger.  I like them best about cucumber size, but they rapidly grow from there.  Don't worry about reducing your yield, as they are quite prolific and you will end up giving them away to your neighbors.  This is usually best done by leaving a bag of them on a porch, after dark so you won't be seen.

Answer 2

Courgettes are usually best picked when they are approx' 6-8" in length.  They can be eaten as 'baby' courgettes when they are 3-4" in length. I have been harvesting mine for a couple of weeks now and they are so much nicer than the shop bought ones.

Answer 3

They are ready when they are 4/6" in size.   If they grow much bigger they become woody and not nearly as tasty.  

The plant will produce lots more courgettes.

HTH's

Answer 4

What is a courgette? Now I am interested???

Answer 5

the more you pick them the more they they will develop new ones, so pick it now

Answer 6

They will grow very large but need to be picked when they are young (around 8 inches long) to be palatable.   The larger they get, the tougher they get and they end up being over ripe and mealy in texture.

Answer 7

A cougette is best picked the moment the flower at the end dies.About  4/5 inches long.Small ones have incredible flavour.If you don't pick,then it keeps growing to 14 inches long and 4 inches across,so it becomes a marrow.Not much taste but great for stuffing.Pick small and often and the plant will produce over longer period of time,as it doen't get exhausted.Pick off mildewed leaves,keep watered.Once picked,it needs to be eaten within 4 hours as flavour greatly reduced.

Answer 8

We grew some last year. Just took a chance and picked them when they seemed large enough.  Always seemed ok to us,

Enjoy.