Courgettes are reasonably easy to start from seed. They can be sown directly into the soil or large containers outside but the slugs will eat the young plants. It is better to raise small courgette plants first in the house and then in pots on window sills or slug-free places in the garden until they are hardy enough for the garden.
Courgette seeds are a reasonable size. Using plastic mushroom boxes works well. Four seeds are placed in the half filled box then lightly covered with compost (until out of sight). The final soil level should be about 1 inch below the level of the rim of the box.
The covered seeds are then mist sprayed until the surface is evenly damp. The soil should not be soaking wet. A simple plastic sheet cover is then fastened over the top of the box with an elastic band. The box is then stored somewhere convenient (kitchen shelf) for daily inspection. It does not require direct sunlight.
When 2 or 3 of the seeds have emerged under the plastic, the plastic is removed. The small plants are then left in the open box for several days and require mist spraying at least twice a day. Once the leaves have started to open the small plants can be removed from the box and separately potted.
