[muckyboots]

Hi, I have been asked by my son inlaw to grow some courgettes for pickling, as I have never grown these before can anyone suggest the best variety and any tips on how to grow would be great.Will they be ok alongside my tomatoes in the greenhouse.Cheers 

[Kristen]

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.

[Salmo]

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

[Kristen]

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?!!

[compostqueen]

I grow a cornichon from seeds of italy

[Salmo]

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.

[mumofstig]

Salmo, please will you post the dill pickles recipe for me.

[muckyboots]

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