How to prune courgette

Midsummer for leaf thinning; late summer for tip removal. Use clean scissors or a sharp knife to cut large, old leaves at the base of their stalks. To stop the plant, cut the main growing tip cleanly above a leaf node.

Once or twice mid-season; tip removal once in late summer if needed. Courgette plants do not require regular pruning, but removing a few large, shading leaves in midsummer can improve airflow and reduce powdery mildew risk. In a greenhouse or dense planting, removing the growing tip in late summer can direct energy into maturing remaining fruits before the first frost.

Use clean scissors or a sharp knife to cut large, old leaves at the base of their stalks. To stop the plant, cut the main growing tip cleanly above a leaf node.