Fothergill's Courgette Tondo di Piacenza Seeds

Details:

• Botanical Name: Cucurbita pepo, a premium, structurally unique heritage selection within the Courgette genus.
• Plant Class: Half Hardy Annual, establishing with excellent natural vigor in the spring to deliver consistent, kitchen-ready rewards.
• Unique Spherical Fruits: Departs from traditional long varieties to produce perfectly round, globe-shaped fruits with a smooth, glossy, deep green skin and delicate, subtle speckling.
• Superior Flesh & Flavour: Features a remarkably firm, crisp white flesh with a lower water content and fewer seeds than standard courgettes. It delivers a rich, sweet, and distinctly nutty flavour that holds its structure beautifully when cooked.
• Strong Bushy Framework: Naturally forms a robust, bushy, and slightly spreading non-trailing framework, reaching a compact mature height of 60cm (24in) and an equal spread of 60cm (24in). Perfect for open garden beds, raised allotment plots, or large patio containers.
• The Ultimate Choice for Stuffing: The unique round shape makes this variety a world favorite for hollowout out, stuffing with seasoned meats, grains, or cheeses, and baking whole in the oven.
• Pollinator Friendly: Features large, vibrant yellow, nectar-rich blossoms that act as an excellent natural fuel source for bumblebees and honeybees, ensuring superb fruit set.

Care Instructions:

• Sowing Position: Start seeds indoors from April to May by sowing individual seeds on their edges 2cm deep in pots of moist compost. Alternatively, sow directly outdoors in late May or June into rich, warm soil once all danger of frost has safely passed. Position in a warm, sheltered spot in full sun.
• Moisture & Nutrition: These plants are incredibly hungry and thirsty. Plant out into fertile, well-prepared soil heavily enriched with well-rotted manure or organic garden compost. Water deeply and regularly around the base, keeping the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.
• Harvesting Tip: Use a sharp knife to harvest the fruits frequently when they are young and tender—ideally about the size of a golf ball to a tennis ball (8–10cm in diameter) for the finest texture and flavour. Constant picking is vital to stimulate a non-stop supply of new round fruits until autumn.