Those prickly things on the cucumber is just the variety. Like a pickle. If you are making pickles, I'd leave them. You can eat them, but I'd prefer to peel them. About 8 inches then harvest. If they get too big, the flavor starts to degrade.

when they are big enough to pick the prickles will rub off if you rub the skin with a tea towel. many varieties have a rough skin and nothing to worry about.

Thanks Bathgate and Seaburngirl!

I think I will have a cheese and cucumber sandwich when it gets a bit bigger.

Also did you have a chance to look at my courgette part of the query? I'm wondering how long you can keep them on the plant before harvesting?

Hi, I grow courgettes and I pick them in the range of when they are quite young to no more than 20cm long. There really isn't a rule as such but a lot of websites would suggest picking them at 12cm long. I suppose it would depend what you want to do with them (in cake, spiralising them etc). Picking them off makes the plant produce more.

Thanks, Chickweed

One of the courgettes is a fair size so I think I will pick it in a couple of days. I usually have them in a ratatouille but sometimes with a potato recipe.