Thanet Earth has begun harvesting its first cucumbers of the year and says that despite recent low light levels plants are looking strong and healthy.

Growers Addy Breugem and Arjan de Gier, who harvested the supplier's first cucumbers today, use an early fruiting variety of cucumber. The plants are replaced as required through the season with mid-season and late-season fruiting varieties, which ensures a seamless crop harvest and helps to extend the British season for as long as possible.

A spokesperson said: 'The innovative ‘high-wire’ growing technique we use ensures an unusually high yield from the plants, along with a consistency of quality and straightness of fruit not previously seen in more traditional growing systems.'