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how deep rooting are courgettes?
Nattygirl
Posts: 21
in Fruit & veg
hi, I've recently moved house and have inherited some rasised beds. But on digging one over I've found it is very gravelly after about a spade depth down and there's hard slabs (brick?) that prevent digging further in some patches/quadrants. I was planning to grow courgettes and sugar snaps here but now not sure. Sweet corn was another option. Too shallow? Should I try to build sides up a bit more? Or what would be better shallow rooting veg? Thanks!
0
Posts
I haven't found courgettes or peas to be deep rooted they have always been easy to pull out at the end of the season. I don't know about sweetcorn but considering how tall they grow I think they must need a reasonable anchor.
I would say build the beds up a bit, enrich them with new stuff and maybe you will have more options.
I don't have raised beds but I'm sure someone who has will post and advise you.
Enjoy the veggies that you grow
I agree with KEF
The depth of those beds will be fine for courgettes and peas, but I wouldn't put sweetcorn there. In my experience they need firmer soil than a raised bed will usually provide. They are also very thirsty so I find they're best planted in the soil rather than a raised bed.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Brilliant. Thanks for such quick replies. I'll carry on with courgettes/peas then. Looking forward to a productive summer, fingers crossed!
I only have raised bed to grow in. All on Tarmac.
Hi I grow my courgettes in buckets on top of my raised bed they trail over but it is much easier for watering
Yes, I would think courgettes would be fine, also outdoor cucumbers and squashes, peppers, chillis, peas, beans and salad greens. It's a bit late to start shallots, but onion sets would be fine. NOT carrots, parsnips , chard or potatoes. Strawberries would be OK too. Some herbs don't mind it being a bit gravelly (thyme, sage, maybe oregano, chives).