Courgette Noodle Bolognese

Courgettes

• Plant courgette seeds or seedlings in a sunny spot after the last frost, ensuring plenty of space as they are vigorous growers.
• Provide consistent watering, especially once fruits start to form, aiming for deep watering at the base of the plant.
• Consider providing a sturdy trellis or cage to support the heavy vines and keep fruits off the ground.

Tomatoes

• Sow tomato seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, then transplant to a sunny spot with rich, well-draining soil.
• Stake or cage indeterminate varieties early to support their growth and prevent sprawling.
• Water deeply and consistently at the base of the plant to prevent blossom end rot and cracking.

Carrots

• Sow carrot seeds directly into finely tilled, stone-free soil after the last frost for straight roots.
• Ensure consistent moisture, especially during germination, and thin seedlings to 2-4 inches apart for proper root development.
• Avoid adding fresh manure to the soil before planting, as this can cause carrots to fork.

Garlic

• Plant individual cloves point-up in well-draining soil in autumn (for larger bulbs) or early spring (for smaller, quicker harvest).
• Choose a sunny location and ensure good soil drainage to prevent rot.
• Keep the soil consistently moist during active growth but reduce watering as harvest approaches.

Oregano

• Plant oregano in a sunny location with well-draining soil; it thrives on neglect once established.
• Water sparingly once established, as it is drought-tolerant.
• Grow in pots to contain its spread if you don't want it taking over garden beds.

• Inspect courgette and tomato plants regularly for aphids and spray them off with a strong stream of water.

• Use row covers over young carrot beds to protect against carrot rust flies and other root maggots.

• Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings to control aphid populations on herbs and vegetables.

• Hand-pick slugs and snails from courgette and tomato plants, especially after rain.

Courgettes

• Harvest courgettes when they are young and tender, typically 6-8 inches long, for best flavour and to encourage more fruit production.
• Check plants daily once they start producing, as courgettes can grow very quickly and become seedy if left too long.

Tomatoes

• Pick tomatoes when they are fully coloured and firm but yield slightly to gentle pressure.
• Harvest in the morning after dew has dried for best flavour and storage.
• If frost threatens, pick any mature green tomatoes to ripen indoors.

Carrots

• Harvest carrots when their shoulders emerge from the soil and reach your desired size, typically 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter.
• Loosen the soil around the carrots before pulling to avoid breaking the delicate roots.
• Harvest before the weather gets too hot, as this can make carrots woody and bitter.

Garlic

• Harvest garlic when the lower third to half of the leaves have turned yellow and started to die back, typically in mid-summer.
• Carefully loosen the soil with a fork and gently lift the bulbs, avoiding damage.
• Do not wait until all leaves are brown, as this can cause the bulb wrappers to split.

Oregano

• Snip off stems and leaves as needed, harvesting before the plant flowers for the most intense flavour.
• Cut back about one-third of the plant to encourage new, bushy growth.
• Frequent harvesting prevents the plant from becoming woody and leggy.