Coups de cœur de Jean-François

The Lebanese Green Finger cucumber is a variety prized for its delicate flavor, sweetness, and uniformity. It produces elongated, slender, and straight fruits with smooth, dark green skin, almost seedless when harvested young. Their flesh is crisp, juicy, and free of bitterness, making it a very pleasant cucumber to eat fresh.

The plant is vigorous and productive, offering a continuous harvest when the fruit is picked regularly. It can be grown on the ground or trained on a trellis, which facilitates aeration, fruit cleanliness, and harvesting. Green Finger particularly thrives when grown vertically.

In the garden, this variety thrives in warm, sunny locations and rich, well-drained soil. Regular growth, without water stress, results in uniform fruit of consistent quality. Its tolerance and productivity make it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a reliable and flavorful cucumber.

The King of the North pepper is a North American heirloom variety renowned for its reliability in cool climates. Specifically bred for short-season regions, it has become a go-to choice for gardeners in northern areas.

At Jardins de l'écoumène, the first trials conducted as early as 1998 quickly confirmed its potential. From then on, King of the North won over our desire to be Guardians of Seeds, establishing a relationship of trust and loyalty that has continued for more than 25 years.

The plants are robust, well-branched, and relatively compact. They produce medium to large-sized fruits, initially green and then red when fully ripe. The flesh is thick, juicy, and sweet, without bitterness, making it a versatile and enjoyable pepper in cooking.

In the garden, King of the North stands out for its earliness and consistency. Its generous, sometimes demanding, nature has prompted us to refine our cultivation techniques. Unlike its cousin the chili pepper, the bell pepper requires careful attention—warmth, fertility, watering, and pruning—to fully express its potential. In return, it offers reliable and sustained production.

Despite these requirements, King of the North demonstrates great adaptability. It grows equally well in containers or in the ground, in greenhouses or gardens, but is best suited to gardeners with some experience . When given the necessary attention, it becomes a reliable and generous ally, capable of producing bountiful harvests even in cooler climates.

Genovese basil is the undisputed champion of culinary basil. Recognizable by its large, tender green, slightly crinkled, and highly aromatic leaves, it embodies the freshness of summer both in the garden and in the kitchen. Its clean and balanced flavor, both sweet and peppery, makes it a cornerstone of Mediterranean traditions.

In the garden, it quickly forms a compact, flexible clump, easy to incorporate into the vegetable patch, as a border plant, or in containers. It thrives in sunny locations, rich, well-drained soil, and with regular, but not excessive, moisture. With careful cultivation, it provides a continuous supply of tender leaves throughout the summer.

Genovese basil responds very well to regular pruning. Pinching the tips and delaying flowering encourages branching and prolongs the harvest. Allowing it to flower attracts pollinators and signals the end of its optimal harvest period.

The Dolciva carrot is a variety prized for its very sweet flesh and fine texture. It forms regular, well-rounded, bright orange roots that develop harmoniously when the soil is well-prepared. Its mild and balanced flavor makes it a sought-after carrot, both raw and cooked.

In the garden, Dolciva stands out for its consistency. It prefers light, deep, and well-loosened soils where it can spread out freely. Grown under good conditions, it produces uniform roots that are not prone to deformation. Its growth is gradual, requiring patience and attention during the first few weeks.

This variety adapts well to cool to temperate climates. It tolerates cooler spring and autumn temperatures, allowing for staggered sowings and successive harvests. Harvested young, it is crisp and very sweet; left to mature, it develops a deeper flavor, ideal for cooking.

Cascadia peas are a must-have variety for snap pea lovers. They are distinguished by their very fleshy, juicy, and crisp pods, containing flavorful little peas. Completely stringless, they offer a simple and enjoyable harvesting and eating experience.

The plants form vigorous vines reaching approximately 90 cm in height. Production is abundant and consistent, facilitating frequent harvests over a concentrated period. Highly disease-resistant, this variety proves reliable even under less than ideal growing conditions.

In the garden, Cascadia is prized for its earliness and consistency. It reaches maturity in about 60 days and is perfectly suited to early-season vegetable gardens. Light support allows the plants to develop harmoniously and facilitates harvesting.

In the local area, the Cascadia pea is perceived as a plant of freshness and efficiency. It embodies those well-selected modern varieties capable of quickly offering a generous and tasty harvest, while remaining easy to grow.

Originating in Italy, the Yellow of Parma onion is an old, guard variety known for its perfectly round bulbs with a golden-yellow skin. In a thriving vegetable garden, it provides a discreet yet essential presence: a reliable, consistent plant that accompanies the gardener throughout the seasons.

In the garden, its upright foliage forms neat rows that structure flowerbeds. The mature bulbs, with their dry, golden skin, then grace the kitchen for many months, extending the bounty of the welcoming soil well after the first frosts. It's a reliable variety for those seeking a storage onion, rooted in respectful and self-sustaining cultivation practices.

The “Mémé de Beauce” tomato has a story as mysterious as it is touching. In 1995, nearly 300 unidentified tomato seeds were discovered in a house that had been abandoned for several years in Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce . Neighbors confirmed that no vegetable garden had been cultivated at that address for over 60 years . These dormant seeds thus survived the years, untouched, in the shadows.

The seeds were entrusted to Mr. Gérard Parent , who germinated three of them. Despite the intervention of specialist Antoine D'Avignon , the variety could not be identified. It was thus named “Mémé de Beauce,” an implicit homage to the gardeners of yesteryear, silent guardians of seeds and knowledge.

In the garden, this tomato stands out for its impressive production of giant fruits , frequently reaching nearly 1 kg , sometimes even more. The fruits are fleshy, multi-locular , and covered with a thin pink to red skin . At full maturity, their flesh becomes very tender, almost melting, making it a remarkable tomato for juices and sauces.

The plant, with indeterminate growth , can reach 1.4 to 2 meters in height . Its vigor and the exceptional weight of its fruit require sturdy support , otherwise the stems may break. It exhibits good resistance to powdery mildew, which contributes to its consistent performance in cultivation despite its unusual characteristics.

In the ecumene, “Mémé de Beauce” is perceived as a tomato of resilience and transmission . It embodies the ability of seeds to cross decades and reappear when someone takes the time to observe, sow and accompany life.

Originating in Japan , the Red Kuri squash , also known as Hokkaido squash , delights gardens and kitchens with its heart shape and vibrant orange-red hue . This heirloom variety is prized for its dense, sweet flesh and delicate chestnut flavor , making it an undisputed star of autumn recipes.

In the garden, Red Kuri offers a generous, creeping habit , covering the ground with its broad leaves and producing beautiful, late-ripening fruit , harvested as autumn approaches. It adapts well to temperate climates, withstands summer variations, and stands out for its remarkable storage capacity —sometimes until spring, without any loss of taste or texture.

Native to North America, Deer Tongue leaf lettuce is distinguished by its long, narrow leaves, reminiscent of a deer's tongue, hence its evocative name. Its tender texture and mild flavor make it a popular choice for fresh salads, adding a delicate crunch to culinary creations.

In the garden, this variety stands out as a generous and easy-to-grow plant, particularly well-suited to the cool climates of spring and autumn. Its early maturity makes it a valuable ally for gardeners looking to extend the salad season thanks to a quick and abundant harvest.

With its fine and elegant foliage, it fits perfectly into a diverse garden, where it plays the role of a refined and nourishing vegetable plant, while bringing a burst of greenery to vegetable beds.