Fothergill's Cucumber Gherkin Cornichon de Paris Seeds

Details:

• Botanical Name: Cucumis sativus 'Cornichon de Paris', a highly esteemed, traditional European heritage cultivar within the Cucumber genus.
• Plant Class: Half Hardy Annual, establishing rapidly in spring to yield an abundant, continuous supply of pickling fruits throughout the summer.
• The Ultimate Pickling Gherkin: Bears short, cylindrical, dark green fruits covered in characteristic small prickles or bumps. The flesh is exceptionally crisp and dense with very small seeds, ensuring they retain their legendary crunch when preserved.
• Highly Productive Habit: Naturally develops a vigorous, compact vining framework reaching a manageable height or length of 60cm (2ft). It can be allowed to trail across the ground or trained up a short trellis or netting frame to save valuable plot space.
• Exceptional Yields: A robust and prolific cropper, this heirloom variety is engineered by nature to continuously pump out fresh flowers and fruits over a long summer season.
• Gourmet French Classic: The definitive variety used to make traditional French cornichons, preserved with vinegar, tarragon, mustard seeds, and baby onions to serve alongside rich terrines, charcuterie boards, and sharp cheeses.
• Optimal Position: Thrives best in a warm, sheltered, sun-drenched position in full sun, showing excellent performance in fertile, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil.

Care Instructions:

• Sowing Position: Start seeds early indoors from April to May by sowing individual seeds on their sides 1.5cm deep in small pots of moist compost to protect tender roots. Alternatively, sow directly outdoors in late May or June once all danger of spring frost has safely passed and the soil has warmed. Position in full sun.
• Training & Spacing: If planting out in rows in the vegetable plot, space plants roughly 30–40cm apart. While they can trail on the ground, training them up short stakes, a trellis, or pea netting keeps the gherkins clean, straight, and incredibly easy to spot.
• Moisture & Nutrition: Gherkins are thirsty plants that require consistent moisture to prevent the fruits from turning bitter. Water regularly and deeply at the base of the plant, keeping the leaves dry. Feed with a high-potash tomato fertilizer every two weeks once the first tiny fruits begin to set.
• Harvesting Tip: For the finest texture and true gourmet 'cornichon' status, harvest the gherkins frequently when they are young, firm, and just 2.5–5cm (1–2in) in length. Regular picking is essential, as it stimulates the plant to continuously push out fresh flowers and new fruits until autumn.