{"product_id":"giant-achocha","title":"Giant Achocha","description":"\u003ch5\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong data-processed=\"true\" class=\"Yjhzub\"\u003e\u003cem data-processed=\"true\" class=\"eujQNb\"\u003eCyclanthera pedata\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStory: \u003c\/strong\u003eThis unusual vegetable is hard to place on the culinary scale - some describe it being used like a green pepper and cooked into stews and chillies. We liken it more to a cucumber and eat it raw. We also love it lacto fermented and pickled when picked young and firm. The fruits are hollow and spiky with big black seeds inside. They are prolific growers that do well outside and love growing up a trellis or fence as the vines can get very long so give them lots of space. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeed saved by:\u003c\/strong\u003e Omved Gardens \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen to sow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sow indoors March - April \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRequirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e They are hungry plants and love a good dressing of compost and they prefer something  to climb up. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen to harvest for food :\u003c\/strong\u003e June - Oct\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen to harvest for seed saving:\u003c\/strong\u003e September onwards when fruits get huge and change colour\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaving seed:\u003c\/strong\u003e Achocha will cross with other varieties of achocha so just grow one type if you plan to save seed - since it is such a rare veg this probably won't be a problem. Allow fruits to get really big and ripe on the plant, pick, cut open and scoop out the seeds - ripe seeds will be very dark brown\/black - if they are beige\/ light brown they probably aren't viable seed. Dry the seeds thoroughly inside then package, label and date. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=x4IpAoBTzko\"\u003eSee video here\u003c\/a\u003e. Save as many seeds as you can to share with friends, family and of course seed networks. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIsolation required:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of plants to save seeds from:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1 \u003c\/span\u003eminimum, 3 or more is ideal\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Insect\u003c\/span\u003e pollinated  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow to send seed back:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003ePlease label all seed with variety, type, date and your contact. If you didn't get a chance to fill out our online data collection form, you can also send us a few lines about how it grew for you\/flavour etc. Please aim to send back 1\/3 cup of dried seed or more so that we can continue to share with network members. Send to: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Seed Saving Network, Omved Gardens, 1 Townsend Yard, N6 5JF.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease remember, if you’re an individual grower you can order up to 4 packets of seeds. If you order more than this, you will receive just three packs to begin with. This is to ensure we get plenty of data in return and to keep our stocks sustainable for years to come.* \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*Community groups and Experienced Growers can order larger quantities, please email us at \u003ca href=\"mailto:info@seedsaving.network\"\u003einfo@seedsaving.network\u003c\/a\u003e if this is the case.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf an item is out of stock we will send a close alternative.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Seed Saving Network","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56665205768565,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0509\/5479\/7239\/files\/PHOTO-2026-02-06-14-13-19.jpg?v=1770389437","url":"https:\/\/shop.omvedgardens.com\/products\/giant-achocha","provider":"The Seed Saving Network","version":"1.0","type":"link"}