Bunching Onion
Parade Cucumber brings the reliability of Russian breeding to American gardens, producing heavy yields of uniform 4-5 inch pickling cucumbers in just 50-59 days from transplant. Originally developed in Russia for short growing seasons, this open-pollinated variety excels in extreme weather conditions across zones 2-12. The vining plants reach 36-48 inches tall and are known for their concentrated harvest, with fruits maturing relatively all at once rather than over an extended period.
Full Sun
High
2-12
48in H x ?in W
Annual
High
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What sets Parade apart is its remarkable consistency and weather tolerance, inherited from its Russian origins where reliable harvests matter most. The variety produces notably uniform, blocky cucumbers that are sweeter and more tender than many other heirloom pickling types. Its concentrated fruiting habit makes it ideal for serious pickle makers who want to process their entire harvest at once, while its disease resistance to Cucumber Mosaic Virus and Powdery Mildew provides added security in challenging growing conditions.
This cucumber excels as a pickling variety, producing the ideal 4-5 inch bumpy fruits that pickle makers prize for their uniform size and tender texture. The concentrated harvest makes it particularly valuable for those who want to process large batches of pickles at once, rather than dealing with an extended harvest period.
Seeds can be started 3-4 weeks before transplanting outdoors, allowing for transplant timing 1-2 weeks after the last frost date.
Transplant outdoors 1-2 weeks after the last frost date when soil has warmed sufficiently for cucumber growth.
Direct sow 1-2 weeks after the last frost date, planting seeds 1 inch deep and spacing them according to your chosen method.
Harvest when cucumbers reach 4-5 inches in length and display the characteristic bumpy texture. Remove fruits using harvesting shears or pruning shears rather than pulling them from the plant to prevent damage to both the cucumber and the vine. Since Parade produces its harvest in a concentrated period, monitor plants closely during the fruiting window to catch all cucumbers at peak quality.
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“Parade Cucumber was originally developed in Russia specifically for cultivation in climates with short growing seasons. Russian plant breeders created this variety to provide reliable harvests even when weather conditions were less than ideal, selecting for traits that would ensure consistent production in challenging northern climates. The variety eventually made its way to American seed catalogs, where it has maintained its reputation for dependability and concentrated yields that reflect its practical origins.”