Thompson & Morgan National Trust Range Courgette Zephyr F1 Hybrid 25 seed

This distinctive variety produces attractive, creamy-yellow cylindrical fruits with an unusual pale green tip that are certainly easy to spot! The strong, bushy plants produce fruits with a firm texture and a delicious nutty flavour if harvested regularly.

Indoors, sow seed at a depth of 2cm (¾in) in 7.5cm (3in) pots of free-draining, seed sowing compost. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag at a temperature of 20-25°C (68-77°F) until germination. Once germinated, grow on in cooler conditions until all risk of frost has passed and plants are large enough to be transplanted. Gradually acclimatise them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before planting outdoors in rich fertile, well drained soil in full sun at a distance of 90cm (36in) apart. Cover with a protective netting or fleece to prevent attack from birds and insects. When growing courgettes, a thick mulch of organic matter spread around the plants will help to conserve moisture at the roots. Alternatively direct sow courgettes outdoors at a depth of 2cm (¾in) and a distance of 90cm (36in) apart. Sow 2 seeds per station and thin out the weakest seedling after germination.