BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Podcast Sowalong - Courgettes with Catherine Mansley
May 9, 2025
Catherine Mansley, the digital editor at Gardener's World magazine, shares her passion for gardening, especially with kids. She highlights the joys of growing courgettes, detailing the fun and challenges faced during the process. Catherine recounts personal stories of nurturing seedlings and battling pests, while also discussing how to inspire kids to eat more vegetables. Her witty anecdotes make the gardening journey relatable and entertaining for families looking to bond while getting their hands dirty.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Growing Courgettes With Kids
- Catherine Mansley shares her experience growing courgettes with her two children to encourage them to eat more vegetables.
- Her younger child proudly tried fried courgettes but found the taste "too yucky" and spat it out.
Seed Sowing Tips for Courgettes
- Sow courgette seeds sideways in peat-free multipurpose compost by a sunny south-facing window to germinate quickly.
- Keep seedlings indoors initially to avoid slugs and snails, and because they're robust enough for children's handling.
Protect Courgette Seedlings Early
- Protect courgette seedlings from slugs and snails using a mini greenhouse or slug deterrents.
- Avoid direct sowing seeds in the ground in late May or June as they rarely survive slug attacks.