{"product_id":"fothergills-rhs-courgette-defender-f1-seeds","title":"Fothergill's RHS Courgette Defender F1 Seeds","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cb\u003eDetails:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/b\u003e Cucurbita pepo 'Defender F1', an elite, highly uniform hybrid cultivar within the squash family.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePlant Class:\u003c\/b\u003e Half-Hardy Annual, possessing superior hybrid vigour that ensures rapid germination, robust root systems, and early fruit development.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eOpen Plant Habit:\u003c\/b\u003e Structured with a wide, open leaf framework that keeps the stems accessible, making it very easy to harvest the vegetables without damaging the plant or overlooking hidden crops.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAdvanced Disease Resistance:\u003c\/b\u003e Bred with robust modern genetics to feature excellent natural tolerance against common garden viruses, ensuring the plants remain healthy, productive, and resilient in the ground over a long season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eProlific Fruit Production:\u003c\/b\u003e Yields a continuous abundance of smooth, dark green, cylindrical courgettes with a crisp texture and a sweet, mild flavour that far surpasses standard supermarket alternatives.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVigorous Fast Growth:\u003c\/b\u003e Establishes rapidly in spring to begin developing usable fruit significantly earlier than traditional heritage varieties, maximizing your seasonal food output.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eGourmet Culinary Utility:\u003c\/b\u003e Packed with vitamins and texturally versatile, making it a great choice for slicing into fresh summer salads, stir-frying with garlic, or roasting whole with Mediterranean herbs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cb\u003eCare Instructions:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSowing Position:\u003c\/b\u003e For a reliable summer and autumn crop, sow seeds individually indoors in deep pots from April to May, or sow directly outdoors into rich, well-drained soil from May to June once all danger of frost has passed. Position in full sun.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePlanting Out and Spacing:\u003c\/b\u003e Transplant young indoor-raised seedlings to their final outdoor positions from late May to June, allowing a generous 90cm between individual plants to accommodate the vigorous, sprawling growth habit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMoisture and Feeding:\u003c\/b\u003e Keep the soil consistently moist by watering deeply around the base of the plant, avoiding the foliage to prevent mildew. Apply a high-potash organic liquid fertilizer every two weeks once the first tiny fruits begin to form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHarvesting Technique:\u003c\/b\u003e Cut the courgettes regularly when they reach roughly 10 to 15cm in length using a sharp knife, as frequent picking stimulates the vigorous plant to produce a non-stop flush of fresh fruit until the autumn frosts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Fothergill's","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57701592433023,"sku":"FTG-14018","price":3.79,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0305\/7713\/1659\/files\/23944_20RHS_20Courgette_20Defender_20F1.webp?v=1780826854","url":"https:\/\/www.sam-turner.co.uk\/products\/fothergills-rhs-courgette-defender-f1-seeds","provider":"Sam Turner \u0026 Sons","version":"1.0","type":"link"}