COURGETTES

Courgettes will be fine outside, but can;t be planted out until after last frost (and hate cold weather, so "after last frost and given a bit of protection initially" might be a better description).

They crop prolifically, but I have no personal knowledge of pickling varieties to be able to share.

Are you sure he means courgettes and not cucumbers(gherkins)?

Replied without engaging brain, as usual!

That might account for why I have no suggestions for varieties, eh?!!

Vert petit de Paris from Suttons are what I grew last year. Just 2 plants provided plenty of gherkins. You will need to check them every other day once they start cropping or they soon get too big. I grew them in the open on the ground but this year I will run them up a frame. Ask you son-in-law whether he wants cornichons (picked tiny, max 3 inches) or wallies (4 or 5 inches as found in chip shops). I like the tiny ones with a bit of cheese.

This year I also made some traditional dill pickles from a Jewish recipe given to me by an American neighbour. These are just done in brine with a handful of dill, plenty of garlic and some spices, and allowed to ferment a little. They kept nice and crisp and I finished them over Christmas. I think I prefer the vinegar ones but I had to try them didn't I.

Thanks all,I will ask if he meant gherkins (cucumbers) Salmo, Thanks all for your replies.