Overwintering guide
How to overwinter courgette
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills courgette in winter
Cutting courgette hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More courgette care
Overwintering courgette — FAQ
Does courgette need to come indoors for winter?
Courgette is hardy to roughly USDA zone 3 — winter lows around -40°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Courgette is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move courgette for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water courgette in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills courgette over winter?
Cutting courgette hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.