[Kajazy]

Anyone ever grown any? I've just planted some outside on the plot - any top tips? Are they nice and easy to kill, like the rest of my produce...??! 

[Trillium]

The key to all cukes is they need lots of rotted manure and regular watering. They don't like flooding, just regular watering.

Traditionally, a gherkin is just an immature cuke up to 4 inches long, so you'd need to check your plants pretty much daily as they can surprise you with their growth speed. And if you want lots of gherkins, don't pinch off the growing tips.

And cukes are very cold sensitive, so if you have heavy winds or expect cold snaps, give them some protection like fleece, etc.

[Endymion]

Traditionally, a gherkin is just an immature cuke up to 4 inches long ...

That's what I thought, until I saw the seed packet. I hope we haven't wasted time (and space) growing both cucumbers and gherkins. 

[BabbyAnn]

Traditionally, a gherkin is just an immature cuke up to 4 inches long ...

That's what I thought, until I saw the seed packet. I hope we haven't wasted time (and space) growing both cucumbers and gherkins. 

It's a bit like saying a baby marrow is a courgette, and courgettes grow into marrows ... but I think most people buy courgette varieties because they have been developed to be nicer, and marrow varieties for storage.  Gherkins are a cucumber variety but used especially for pickling, and most cucumbers are developed to be crisp and sweet.  Some cucumber varieties eg White Wonder specify dual purpose 

[mumofstig]

Traditionally, a gherkin is just an immature cuke up to 4 inches long,

the pickled gherkins we use in the UK are only about 2in long (cornichons) rather than the size used for dill pickles, and there are some varieties that are better for picking at this small stage

But yes, left on the plant long enough they will all grow big enough for salad use, and are good to eat 

[realfood]

I have stopped growing cucumbers in favour of gherkins, as they are much quicker to reach eating size, taste better, crisper, not so watery and easier to grow. I pick mine at about 3 to 4 inches long and have been picking for a month.

[sunshineband]

We grew gherkins in the greenhouse at home a few years ago, before we had a plot.

They fruited really well with no hassle and seemed much easier than cucumbers tbh 

[Endymion]

It'll be interesting to see how ours compare, maybe we'll only need one plant next year and it'll be gherkins instead of cucumbers. If so it'll save a bit of space too.

Some cucumber varieties eg White Wonder specify dual purpose

That isn't the one we're growing, at least I don't think so.

[plopleuk]

what do you do if you get the odd one maturing before the others?
can you pickle them as you go along until the jar is full?

[sunshineband]

what do you do if you get the odd one maturing before the others?
can you pickle them as you go along until the jar is full?

No, because you have to put them all in together in a sterile jar 

Eat it!

[mumofstig]

they do store for a while in the fridge

[plopleuk]

i have one thats ready and a lot of little ones waiting to grow.
are they nice raw?

[sunshineband]

Like cucumber 

[Endymion]

they do store for a while in the fridge

Can you salt them, and add more to the bowl when they're big enough, or wouldn't that be a good idea?

[mumofstig]

I've never tried it, but I think they would go slimey