In My Seed Box for 2021 - Gherkin

 

GHERKIN - The last time I tried growing Gherkins was in 2018 and only because my sister loved the ones I pickled for her in 2017.  The plan was to have another bash at them in 2020 and I bought some seed. Gherkin seeds if kept in ideal conditions should last between 10 - 15 years the same as cucumbers. 

The seeds came from Seed Megastore and are called Gherkin - National and cost me 59p for 25 seeds 

Very quick growing and prolific in habit. Produces a mass of small prickly fruit for pickling.

Sowing Time: February to April.

Germination: Germinates at 20°C.

Sowing Instructions: 

Sow seeds in 1cm (½in) deep in 8cm (3in) pots of moist compost. Germination usually takes 10-12 days.

Growing Instructions: 

Acclimatise the plants to outdoor conditions before planting outdoors after all risk of frost has passed 60cm (24in) apart. Plant in a sunny sheltered spot, in fertile moist but well drained soil and keep well watered.

After Care: 

Harvest the fruits before they reach full size for improved quality and better cropping.

Thumbing through the Mr Forthgill's Catalogue I completely forgot I had bought more Gherkin Seeds in 2019, and I selected Cornichon de Paris - 20 Seeds - £2.15 - Sow by 2024 because they are a small variety and can be harvested at about an inch 25mm long 

This is a French heirloom variety which has long been sold in the markets of Paris and used to produce small, crisp pickled 'cornichon' gherkin. Each plant produces numerous fruits that are harvested at approx. 2.5cm(1in) long.

Sow & Grow 

Sow: Indoors, March-April, for surest results, 0.5cm (¼") deep, on edge, in small pots of compost. Water well and place in a warm position. A temperature of 21-24°C (70-75°F) is ideal. Keep moist. Seedlings usually appear in 7-14 days. 

When plants have developed 3 or 4 leaves, transplant to 12cm (5”) pots and grow on in cooler, but not cold conditions. Gradually accustom young plants to outside conditions (avoid frosts), before planting out 60cm (2') apart, during May-June, into fertile, well-drained soil. 

Sow: outdoors May-June, for ease, where they are to crop. Sow two seeds per position, 0.5cm (¼") deep, directly into finely-prepared, fertile, well-drained soil, which has already been watered. Allow 60cm (2') between rows. When large enough, thin to leave the stronger plant. Harvest: July-October.

Sowing/Planting and Flowering/Harvesting Guide

JAN	FEB	MAR	APR	MAY	JUN	JUL	AUG	SEP	OCT	NOV	DEC

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Key       Sow Indoors       Sow/Plant Outside       Flowers/Harvest

Additional Guidance 

Pick fruits when up to 5cm (2") long for sweetest flavour. Left to grow on, the fruits can be used as slicing 'cues.

Pinch out the growing tip when six leaves have formed to encourage side shoots to form.  

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