Crop type: Marrows
Cucurbita pepo ‘Badger Cross’
Common name: Marrow ‘Badger Cross’ AGM
Crop slug: marrow
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile. Check the source and adjust cultivation decisions for local conditions.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Badger Cross’ is a vigorous British-bred marrow with a neat, compact bush habit. It produces a high yield of well-shaped fruits marked by distinctive alternating dark- and light-green lengthwise stripes, with harvesting possible from June to October according to sowing date and conditions.
This F1 hybrid combines productive growth with excellent resistance to cucumber mosaic virus. The compact plant makes fruits easier to find and harvest than on a long trailing cultivar, while its strong stripes give each mature marrow a clear identity. It holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 0.1–0.5 metre
- Ultimate spread
- 0.5–1 metre
- Time to ultimate size
- 1 year
Although compact for a marrow, the plant still needs generous ground area for broad prickly leaves and developing fruits. Allow at least 90cm around a bush plant and maintain open access for watering and harvesting.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Loam or sand
- Moisture
- Well-drained
- Soil pH
- Acid or neutral
Grow in rich, fertile soil with reliable drainage. Dig in plenty of garden compost or well-rotted manure before planting and maintain even moisture once vigorous growth begins. A surface mulch helps hold water without leaving the crown wet.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun
- Aspect
- South- or west-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- Hardiness
- H2 — tolerant of low temperatures but not surviving prolonged freezing
Choose a warm sheltered position in full sun. ‘Badger Cross’ is tender despite its vigorous growth, so plant outside only after frost risk has passed and the soil has warmed. Bring the final fruits inside before autumn frost.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
Large green palmately lobed leaves form a compact bush around golden-yellow star-shaped flowers in summer. Female flowers develop into smooth elongated marrows carrying sharply defined dark- and light-green longitudinal stripes. The fruits remain easy to see and reach within the relatively neat plant.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Name status
- Accepted
Genus
Cucurbita is a small genus of climbing or trailing annual plants native to Central and South America. Species have palmately lobed, often prickly leaves and separate golden-yellow flowers, and include squashes, pumpkins, courgettes and marrows cultivated for edible fruits.
Safety
If any fruit tastes bitter, do not eat it or feed it to pets, since bitterness can indicate harmful cucurbitacins. Wear gloves and protective clothing if the prickly foliage irritates the skin.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in rich fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Start seed indoors in mid- to late April, placing one seed on its side about 1.5cm deep in an individual pot. Keep seedlings warm and bright, then harden them off carefully before planting outside after frost, usually in June.
Water generously at soil level once flowering and fruiting begin, avoiding wet foliage. Feed container-grown plants or crops on poor soil with a high-potassium liquid fertiliser every 10–14 days after the first fruits swell. Place boards beneath developing marrows and harvest regularly from June to October to encourage further fruit.
Propagation
Propagate by seed. Individual pots minimise root disturbance when young plants are moved to their final position.
Suggested locations
- Sunny vegetable plot
- Prepared allotment station
- Large raised bed
- Wildlife-friendly productive garden
Pruning
No routine pruning is required. Remove only damaged or mildew-affected leaves where this improves airflow and exposes ripening fruit.
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs and snails, particularly as a seedling and around young fruits. Protect new plants and keep the area immediately around them free of hiding places.
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey mould and powdery mildew. ‘Badger Cross’ shows excellent resistance to cucumber mosaic virus. Maintain airflow, avoid wetting leaves and remove diseased material promptly.