Topic: Growing Gherkin

[rutters]

Hi all

Bought some Vert Petit de Paris Gherkin seeds and they are growing really well.

Just wondering if there is something I should be doing like pinching out or cutting back.

No instructions on the packet!

Thanks

[saddad]

Once I've put them in the ground, in the greenhouse, I just let them be..

[gray1720]

Same here - though I do tend to find I either get a glut or sod all. I've had one so far this year - hoping to have another go at fermented gherkins again this year, even the Polish rellie said they were delicious, and she should know a bit about the things!

Unfortunately I've room for either ghurkas or cucucucumbers in the greenhouse, but not both without kicking tomatoes or salads out...

Adrian

[ancellsfarmer]

Same here - though I do tend to find I either get a glut or sod all. I've had one so far this year - hoping to have another go at fermented gherkins again this year, even the Polish rellie said they were delicious, and she should know a bit about the things!

Unfortunately I've room for either ghurkas or cucucucumbers in the greenhouse, but not both without kicking tomatoes or salads out...

Adrian

I grow LIDL's Restina and they go outside. The seed is cheap (47p for 34 seeds iirc) Simply put plants out Ist week of June to a tripod of 8@ 8ft canes , tie in regularly, water at first.
 I have previously vinegar pickled with fennel and dill.They become quite chunky if missed at picking, I split them into 4 quadrants and pickle as usual. Have remained crisp into the second year. 1 jar remains from 2018 ! Have collected a quantity of Douewe Egberts coffee jars (8oz.), which have glass stoppers and polyseals, which are ideal.
 Would be interested in learning if you ferment other than in a brine. Any additional ingredients used?

[BarriedaleNick]

Just pickled a jar today.  The plants just do their thing - I climb them up a trellis but others just let them trail on the ground.

[rutters]

Thanks so much for the replies

Glad I didn't have to worry about side-shoots or male flowers or such-like

[gray1720]

Heaven only knows wbhere the recipe is (there are many online) - but it's mostly brine, with some horseradish leaves as far as I remember. Only trouble is that they need to be refrigerated afterwards, and they do take up space... but not for long!

[saddad]

Our recipe... from good housekeeping Circa 1970... says keep them in the fridge once bottled for upto three months... but will keep for a year if you do get a glut! The only tricksie bit is rinsing after salting.. if you don't do it properly the finished product can be too salty!