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VegetablesTenderAnnual
Gherkin
Gherkin is a small-fruited cucumber grown mainly for pickling, preserving and crunchy snacking harvests. The plants are vigorous and productive, and fruits are best used while still youthful, firm and evenly shaped.
Basic information
Category
Vegetables
Lifecycle
Annual
Hardiness
Tender
Planting partners
2 companions · 1 crop to avoid
Growth profile
Days to harvest
55 days
Germination window
5–10 days
Germination temperature
20–30 °C
Plant spacing
45 cm
Row spacing
90 cm
Sowing depth
2 cm
Height
200 cm
Spread
45 cm
Calendar
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
Sow Indoors
Sow Outdoors
Plant Out
Flowering / Harvest
Timings based on average frost dates in the UK. Sign up to set your frost dates.
Care tips
Pick gherkins frequently before fruits become oversized, because regular harvesting keeps quality high and stimulates more production. Keep vines well watered and fed through summer, and provide support or plenty of room so fruits stay clean and easy to gather.
Common pests
Aphids, red spider mite, powdery mildew, slugs.
