The shape of these courgettes fascinates me and how they grow on the courgette plant. One of the best things about growing your own vegetables is the wide variety of shapes and different varieties you can grow yourself and not find in the shops.

Why grow normal courgettes, when you can grow ball courgettes? A while ago I grew the yellow ball courgettes which were a great success. They were so bright and so easy to find on the plant. They tasted the same as normal courgettes and we used them sliced and diced in cooking as you do with normal courgettes.

This year I’m growing green striped ball courgettes to continue my growing theme. I’m growing variety: Piccolo F1.

Piccolo F1 grows ball courgettes that are green with lighter green stripes to about a tennis ball size. One plant grows many courgettes.

Reasons to grow Piccolo F1 variety of Ball Courgette

1. This variety is spine free which is good for easy picking and if children want to help with the harvesting. If you have ever harvested a courgette before, you’ll know the leaves are incredibly spiky.

2. Piccolo can be grown in pots as it is a compact variety. This is always good if you are short of space in the vegetable garden.

3. The ball courgette is perfect for one person. There’s a variety of ways to eat ball courgettes, stuffing them, slicing, halving and grilling them, they have quite a strong flesh compared to normal courgettes.

I love the way the courgettes form behind the flowers. I’ve been watching the courgette plants in the mornings and their leaves turn and lift towards the sun and when the sun is overhead they go back flat again.

I am determined to do a stuffed ball courgette recipe this year when we harvest the courgettes. Ball courgettes are a perfect shape for stuffing.

How to Grow Courgettes

If you are quick you may be able to start sowing courgettes before the end of June.

Sow from April to June.

Harvest from July to October.

Sow Courgette Seeds: one seed to a 9cm pot with compost.

Pot on to a slightly larger pot: When your courgette plant looks like it needs more space.

Plant out or in a large pot: when the plant is established and before flowers arrive.

Caring for your Courgette Plants

1. Make sure you give them some space if growing more than one plant. Plant at least 45cm apart.

2. The raised bed or pot needs compost in the soil so it has enough nutrients to keep the plants growing through the summer.

3. Water, water, water, Courgettes love water so don’t let them go dry for long periods.

4. Courgettes also love the sun, plant them in a sunny spot.

5. Pick the courgettes as they get to their allotted size. As you pick them more will appear.

6. Research some courgette recipes in advance of harvesting so you can use your courgettes in your cooking, when inevitably you get a glut (too many courgettes in a short space of time).