Gherkin
The Parisian Gherkin is a compact F1 hybrid cucumber bred for one thing: producing an abundance of small, perfect pickling cucumbers in just 50 days. This monoecious variety thrives in zones 2-12 and grows as a vining plant that reaches 12-24 inches tall, making it surprisingly adaptable to containers, raised beds, and traditional garden plots. Winner of a 2015 Regional AAS Award, it combines disease resistance to Cucumber Mosaic Virus, Powdery Mildew, and Scab with the reliability that only a thoughtfully bred hybrid can offer.
Full Sun
Moderate
2-12
24in H x ?in W
Annual
High
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This isn't just another pickling cucumber; the Parisian Gherkin was specifically engineered for the small, tender gherkins that dominate European preserving traditions. At 50 days to maturity, it delivers harvests faster than most varieties, and its resistance to three major diseases means fewer headaches and more reliable yields. The compact vining habit opens possibilities beyond in-ground gardens: trellised in containers with proper support, it becomes a space-efficient option for patios and raised beds, while maintaining the productivity of full-sized cucumber varieties.
The Parisian Gherkin shines in preservation and pickling, where its small size and tender texture are precisely what traditional recipes require. Fresh harvest gherkins work beautifully in salads, relishes, and charcuterie boards, while its processing suitability makes it equally at home in a home canner's kitchen or a small-scale preservation operation. The compact fruits are also excellent for fresh eating straight from the garden when picked at their peak.
Start seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before your last frost date, sowing them in soil kept between 65-80°F. Transplant seedlings outdoors only after all frost danger has passed, as this frost-tender annual cannot tolerate cold soil or air.
Harden off seedlings over 7-10 days before moving them to the garden. Plant outdoors after the last spring frost, spacing transplants 12 inches apart with 48 inches between rows. Choose a location in full sun with soil pH between 6.0-7.0.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost date and when soil has warmed to at least 65-70°F. Plant seeds and thin to 12-inch spacing once seedlings emerge.
Pick gherkins when they reach 2-3 inches long for the most tender, crisp fruits ideal for pickling. Harvest regularly, every 1-2 days during peak season, as frequent picking encourages continuous flowering and fruit production. Use a gentle twisting motion or clean cuts with shears to avoid damaging the vine.
Train the vining growth onto a trellis or sturdy support structure to maximize air circulation and simplify gherkin harvesting. Pinch back the main stem if it becomes unruly, directing energy into lateral branches that will produce the most prolific flowering and fruiting.
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“This variety emerged from modern hybrid breeding work focused on creating the ideal pickling cucumber for both home and commercial processing. As an F1 hybrid and 2015 Regional AAS Award winner, it represents deliberate horticultural development aimed at capturing the quick maturity and disease resilience that contemporary gardeners and growers demand, while honoring the European tradition of gherkin pickling.”