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Annual Biennial

Cucurbita pepo 'Astia'
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

courgette 'Astia'

A compact cultivar suitable for growing in large containers and producing heavy crops of straight, uniform, dark green fruits that can be eaten as courgettes or left to mature as marrows

Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver
Summer Yellow Green Grey Silver Green
Autumn Yellow Green Grey Silver Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Trailing
Potentially harmful
Humans/Pets: If crop is bitter, don't eat or feed to pets. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus

A small genus of climbing or trailing, annual herbaceous fruits. Several edible species are cultivated for food and other uses. Native to Central and South America. Solitary, star-shaped flowers are usually golden-yellow. Leaves are palmately lobed, covered with tiny, prickly hairs

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Start seeds off indoors from mid-April, or outdoors after all risk of frost has passed. Grow in soil enriched with compost or well-rotted manure, or in a growing bag, or large tub of multipurpose compost. Keep well-watered and feed every 10-14 days with a high potash liquid fertiliser once the first fruits start to swell. courgette cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds or sowing seeds indoors for further advice

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Grey moulds may affect the fruit. Courgette foliage is susceptible to powdery mildews but this cultivar has some resistance

Get involved

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