b'Growing Courgettes Global ProductionThe largest producer of courgette is China, contributing significantly to the global zucchini supply. Other countries like Ukraine, Russia, and the United States also play substantial roles in zucchini production. These figures highlight the widespread cultivation and importance of zucchini in various agricultural economies.The top exporting countries are Spain, Mexico, Trkiye, The Netherlands, United States, Italy, and the top importing countries are United States, France, Germany, UK, The Netherlands, and Canada.Growing courgettes in your garden 7.3 billioncan be rewarding. They are relatively6Production Volume (kg) 1.1 billion 1.1 billion 1.0 billion 745.3 million 744.3 million 729.2 million 718.6 million 558.9 million 552.1 millioneasy to cultivate and can produce a bountiful harvest. They are fast growers:5courgettes grow quickly, often ready to4harvest within 50-60 days of planting.3But beware, they need plenty of2sunlight. Courgettes thrive in full sunlight, 1requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sun each day. And make sure the plants get China Ukraine Russia U.S. Spain Trkiye Mexico BangladeshItaly Indonesiaregular watering. Consistent watering is crucial for healthy courgette plants,Countryespecially during dry spells.Edible Flowers Does Size Matter?If you are brave enough, the flower ofThe smaller the zucchini plant is also edible.to medium The blossoms may be stuffed,sized zucchinis battered and fried, orhave the best made into soups, frittatasflavournot or quesadillas. Thethe biggest. The flowers have a subtlelarger courgettes flavour, reminiscent ofhave bigger young zucchinis, andseeds and less can be eaten raw. Theflavour, but they flowers are used in manyare good when countries, such as Italy,stuffed or when Spain, Greece, Trkiye, andgrated for baked goods.Mexico. In Mexico, the flower is preferred over the zucchini.FEBRUARY 2025|SEEDWORLD.COM/EUROPEISEED WORLD EUROPE I 27'