Gherking

Cucumber

Zone 5b Save Garden

🌱 50d to harvest Vine

Crisp and intensely refreshing, Gherking Beit Alpha Cucumber delivers a cool, clean crunch with a bright, lightly sweet flavor at…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	May 4th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 18th
Harvest Begins	Jul 7th
Harvest Ends	Oct 5th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Recommended Companions

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Cucumis sativus (gherkin) and how can I control it?

Cucumis sativus commonly gets powdery mildew (white dusting on leaves) and downy mildew (yellow patches under leaves), especially when nights are humid. Start by spacing plants for airflow and watering at the soil line (not the foliage), then remove the most affected leaves early. If it keeps spreading, use an appropriate fungicide labeled for cucumbers/ powdery mildew and repeat according to the label interval; harvest usable fruit first rather than leaving diseased vines to continue infecting new growth.

How often should I water gherkins during the main growing phase?

During flowering and fruit set (roughly weeks 3–7), keep soil consistently evenly moist—about 1 to 2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water per week total, adjusted for your weather. Water deeply 1–3 times per week so the root zone stays damp, then pause only if the top 1 inch (2–3 cm) of soil dries out. Irregular watering leads to bitter fruit and misshapen gherkins, so avoid letting vines swing between very wet and very dry.

How do I know when Cucumis sativus gherkins are ready to harvest?

Harvest gherkins when they’re still young and firm—typically around 50 days from sowing—aiming for small, evenly sized fruits before they start to enlarge and soften. Pick every 1–2 days once production begins, because Cucumis sativus quickly moves from “tender” to “too big,” which reduces crispness. Use a knife or snip to avoid tearing vines, and harvest in the morning for the best firmness.

Crisp and intensely refreshing, Gherking Beit Alpha Cucumber delivers a cool, clean crunch with a bright, lightly sweet flavor at peak pickling size. Expect slender, dark-green fruits with a subtly bumpy, gherkin-like texture that holds its snap beautifully for preserves. Grow it for abundant, quick harvests—ideal for gardeners who want a reliable, garden-to-jar bounty from a vigorous vine.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 65°F and nights stay above 55°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 10 days first.

Direct Sow Preferred

Sensitive roots — does not transplant well. If starting indoors, use biodegradable pots and disturb roots as little as possible when moving outdoors.

Expert Note

For small pickling cucumbers/gherkin types, keep soil consistently moist and harvest frequently to encourage continued crisp growth.