Caring for cucurbits

Courgettes, cucumbers, melons and squash are from the same family, but they need different treatment, says Bob

ALTHOUGH they look similar, the many different members of the marrow family or cucurbits need somewhat different treatments. First, their similarities. They are all tender, so if it’s at all cold they do not perform well. Also, they’re thirsty, and all like rich soil or compost.

The toughest cucurbits are marrows and these need little attention once growing, except guiding out of the way as they ramble. Courgettes are effectively mini-marrows, and mostly do not ramble far. Their need is to be picked over daily, so no fruit ever gets large and unusable.