Gherkin - F1 Partner

Gherkin 

A fast-growing, mainly female variety producing a bounty of small, slightly prickly gherkins (3–8cm) with firm flesh and excellent flavour — perfect for pickling. Ideal for trellises, containers, or sunny garden beds.

Harvest

June to November — pick when fruits are 3–10cm long, roughly 8–10 weeks after planting.

Growing Instructions

• Planting: 45cm apart in well-prepared, sunny soil (above 16°C) once all frosts have passed.
• Position: Sheltered spot; can start indoors and move outside later.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist until established and during dry periods.
• Support: Train along a trellis, fence, stake, or string to save space, stay disease-free, and keep fruits straight. Grow clockwise up the string, removing side shoots and flowers up to 30cm high, then just side shoots as the plant reaches 6 feet. Let the plant cascade naturally back down once it hits the top.
• Feeding: Only feed once the first two gherkins begin to form.

Top Tips

• Regular Picking: Harvest gherkins often to encourage continuous production.
• Avoid Farmyard Manure: Hormones in straw bedding can damage cucumbers and gherkins.
• Keep Leaves Healthy: Remove yellow or dead leaves to prevent disease.
• Space & Training: Using supports keeps gherkins straight, healthy, and easier to manage.