Grow a record-breaker for the local show with this traditional cultivated variety, marrow 'Long Green Bush 4', producing dark green fruits with a characteristic yellow striping and a delicious, tender flavour. The big, beefy plants have a bush habit so won't scramble out of their veg bed: harvest the fruit small, like courgettes, or allow to grow into whoppers to show off to the neighbours.
How to care for marrow Long Green Bush 4:
Plant marrows in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained, fertile soil. They like plenty of space to spread, so give each plant about 1m², and avoid areas where other courgettes or squashes have grown recently to reduce disease risk.
Once your marrow plants are growing, keep the soil consistently moist and mulch around the base to retain water and suppress weeds. Feed regularly with a high-potash fertiliser to encourage fruiting. Support the fruits if they’re large to prevent them from sitting on damp soil and rotting.
Harvest marrows when they’re firm and about 20-30cm (8-12in) long for eating, cutting them with a sharp knife to avoid damaging the plant; leaving them too long makes the skin tough. Regular picking also encourages the plant to produce more fruit.