How To Grow Marrows

Soil Preparation for Marrows

Marrows prefer heavier soils, and are best suited to a position where they are sheltered from cold winds. Dig in plenty of well rotted manure in the bed where the marrow plants are to grow. To get started dig a trench 9 inches deep put in the manure then dig another trench suing the soil from this to form a ridge on top of the first trench. The marrows are to planted in the ridges, 6 ft apart for the trailing types, and 4 ft apart for the bush types.

Sowing Marrows

For best results use older seeds as this will result in plants producing a greater proportion of female blooms. Marrows can be sown inside or a green house from April using 3 inch pots filled with seed. Harden off the young marrows by putting them in cold frames at the end of the month. The Marrows will then be ready to plant out in the ridges at the end of May.

Planting Marrows

Your seed pots should be well watered before planting out. Try to avoid pulling the Marrow plants by their stems as they are easily bruised and this will cause irreparable damage. If the weather is still cold then cover each Marrow plantwith some clear fleece to give them some additional warmth or use the top half of a coke or lemonade bottle.

Caring for Marrows

Trailing types of marrows should have the tip of the main shoot pinched back by an inch or so when they are around 30cm long, as this will encourage side shoots to grow which is vital as this is where the main female flowers will grow.

As the marrow plants mature they will need additional manure and compost, which should take the form of a mulch added to the base of each plant. This will also stop the Marrows drying out. Surface roots can also be covered with grass clipping to stop them drying out.

Marrows require lots of water so do not be afraid to soak the roots thoroughly on a regular basis.

Harvesting Marrows

In a high summer, Marrows can be harvested July, cutting the Marrows when they are young will encourage growth in September. How if you wish to store Marrows for winter then leave the marrows on the plants until October.

For more details also see Marrow Pests And Diseases

By Richard Allen -