How much space does a courgette plant need?

Bush varieties need 90cm between plants. Compact varieties manage in 60cm. Trailing types need 1.2m or can be trained up supports.

How many courgettes does one plant produce?

A healthy bush plant produces around 20-30 courgettes (roughly 4 kg at about 150-200g each) over a 12-week season. Pick regularly when they are 15-20cm long to keep the plant cropping.

When should I plant courgettes?

Sow indoors in April. Plant out after the last frost (late May in most of the UK). They need warm soil and are very frost-sensitive.

Can I grow courgettes in containers?

Yes. Use compact varieties in large pots (at least 45cm diameter). Keep well-watered as containers dry out quickly.

How many courgette plants do I need?

Two or three plants are enough for most families — that is roughly 40-90 courgettes over the season at 20-30 per plant. Pick regularly when 15-20cm long for the best results.

GardenCalcs

Courgette Spacing Calculator — Plants & Yields

Calculate courgette plant spacing and expected yields.

Bed Length

Total length of the bed in metres, measured to the bed edges

Bed Width

Bed width — courgettes are usually a single row in beds under ~1m wide; wider beds fit two or more rows

Variety TypeBush (90cm), compact/patio (60cm) or trailing (120cm) — sets spacing and per-plant yield

How We Calculate This

Plants per row = (Bed length ÷ Spacing) + 1, since a plant sits at the start of the run as well as at every spacing interval up to the far edge. The grid total multiplies the plants that fit along the length by those that fit across the width.

Spacing comes from the variety: bush 90cm (~4 kg per plant), compact/patio 60cm (~3 kg), trailing 120cm (~5 kg) — all consistent with RHS guidance of at least 90cm apart for standard courgettes.

Yields assume regular picking and good growing conditions with adequate watering and feeding. The yield adjustment factor scales the estimate up or down for your own site.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates based on standard gardening guidelines. Results may vary with soil conditions, climate, and plant varieties.