a question for those growing (or have grown) courgettes

[Weka]

Mine normally succumb to powdery mildew before they get a chance to set fruit.
But I'm going to try again this year

[meriad]

to be honest Weka, after the relative failure growing them this year and that of previous years I'm not sure I'm going to bother again. They take up quite a bit of space as a plant (and you know UK gardens; most don't really have lots of space ) and given they're not that expensive to buy... Also if it is a good year for them then quite a few houses where I live (it is fairly rural) often have tubs of them outside their property giving them away

So I may just let them struggle with it all

[Kaz]

We gave up on them too The tomatoes, peppers, cukes and aubergines this year have been FAB!!! Lots of roasted veg with olive oil and rosemary, lots of pasta sauces, lots of salads I think there will be a lot of green toms left over, so am going to have a go at chutney too, as D has a recipe

We are having the roast veg and chicken thighs combo again tonight, drooling at the thought already

I've realised that although I am not wild about cooking per se, I do very much enjoy cooking stuff we've grown ourselves, it is very satisfying......

[meriad]

same here - the cucumbers and aubergines have done well; the chillies are growing out of the greenhouse - I have LOADS! The tomatoes are a bit hit and miss; but most are finally going ripe and mom and I had a good helping every day - stunning yellow and also black cherry tomatoes - super flavour, esp the little yellow ones. The most disappointing of the three is my Roma tomato, meant to be a plum but it's struggling to ripen and the fruit are all quite powdery with little flavour.

I do suspect though that the non ripening of the toms may be the fault of the cukes and chillies because they are so big and lush that I think they're blocking vital sunlight

[Kaz]

Aw yes they do need sunshine

We had some little yellow toms too, quite delicious

[Diflower]

Those yellow ones are lovely
Our ex-neighbour always gave us several tomato plants, mixed, her mother grew from seeds and always had too many.
I miss her

[Kaz]

Aw yes, I'll bet! xx

[Weka]

My dad cuts off leaves to stop them getting too big, I think I may try that too this year, I'm wondering that if by doing so it's letting on more air and light and therefore reduces the conditions powerful mildrew needs to grow, ie damp warm humid.
I don't know. I'm wondering if one of my retired gardening neighbours would take me under their wing and teach me. Lol

[Kaz]

xx

[Diflower]

It's worth asking Weka
Bb came home from his walk with Minnie this morning with a courgette and a lovely big bundle of runner beans
Outside a house with 'please help yourself'