As the weather warms up, gardeners can start sowing a range of seeds this month, with one popular vegetable perfect for beginners

Gardening specialist Lucie Bradley from Easy Garden Irrigation suggests that a particular vegetable is ideal for novice gardeners. She said: “You can plant the seeds directly into the ground where they’re going to grow from mid-May onwards.”

For effective germination, the soil needs to be at least 15°C and free from any risk of frost. Gardeners can prepare the soil by using garden fleece or tunnel cloches before planting, creating the perfect environment for seeds to sprout.

The commonly found vegetable she refers to is the humble courgette, known for being one of the easiest vegetables to grow in a garden.

Lucie said: “When sowing courgettes outdoors, depending on the weather, you can expect to begin harvesting them approximately eight weeks later.”

Her tip for optimal flavour is to pick them when they are still small, aiming for a length of 10cm to 20cm. She said: “The smaller the size, the stronger the flavour.”

Courgettes, like any garden plant, come with their own set of challenges. “The most common pests to look out for when growing courgettes are slugs and snails,” Lucie warns.

These pests can rapidly damage young plants. Therefore, she advises using physical barriers like bell cloches or tunnel cloches to safeguard them.

Bell cloches, with their top vents, are excellent for protecting individual plants, while tunnel cloches suit rows perfectly. These protective tools are key to nurturing robust and healthy courgettes, safe from the harm of pests.

Growing courgettes is fairly straightforward, which is why they’re a great choice for those new to gardening.

Lucie highlights the ease of planting courgette seeds due to their size, which prevents any issues with overcrowding.

“Sowing courgette seeds is simple as they are large, making them easy to handle and plant without overcrowding,” she explains.

Her advice is to plant a pair of seeds around 13mm deep, allowing a gap of 90cm between them, and then to choose the stronger seedling once germination occurs.

For courgettes to thrive, it’s important to enrich the soil with compost or well-rotted manure and ensure consistent watering, particularly when the weather turns dry. With attentive care, your summer garden will grow lots of courgettes.