The information on this page applies to seedlings sold by LEAF Nursery during our 2021 Seedling Sale.
Cucumis sativus. Gherkins are tiny cucumbers used for pickles, and these are the best! Use as small as 1 ½" long for excellent sweet pickles, or for French cornichons ("little horns"). Slice for salads at 3"–4" long. Plants are semi-vining at 24" long and ideal for small garden spaces and containers. Disease resistant. A 2015 All-America Selections winner.
Seed Type
| Organic | Heirloom | Non-GMO | Hybrid | Open-pollinated | Untreated |
Additional Information
| Container Friendly | Trellis Recommended | Easy to Grow | Pollinator Friendly |
When to Transplant Your Seedling
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Growing Conditions
| Light | Temperature | Soil | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sun | 75-90 F | Rich Well drained soil | Average water |
Planting Tips
| Plant Spacing | Plant Size | Days to Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| 12" | 24" semi vining | 50 days from seed |
- Additional instructions: Cucumber roots are sensitive to disturbance, transplant carefully.
- 'Parisian Gherkin' is a selection from the 1800s French heirloom cucumber, 'Bourbonne'. It is quick to produce small, 2" warty gherkins on compact plants with disease resistance to scab and cucumber mosaic virus, as well as tolerance to powdery mildew. Fruits can also be harvested at 4" for slicing or pickling.[1]
- Cucumbers require rich, well-drained soil, a long rotation cycle (don't plant them in the same spot year after year), consistent moisture and proper spacing help reduce stress on plants and avoidance of common cucumber diseases like scab and mosaic.
- Apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer (equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) to soil before sowing. Since root system is extensive, fertilize the entire growing area evenly, as cucumber root are susceptible to fertilizer burn when fertilizer is applied too densely around the base of the plant.[2]
- Most varieties of cucumber vines spread from row to row. Training on a cage, trellis or fence along the edge of the garden will correct this and also lift the fruit off the soil. Trellising gets leaves up off the ground so that they dry off faster. Also, if the vines are trellised, the gardener is less likely to step on the vines and there is no need to move the vines for weeding or other purposes, reducing the risk of damage. If trellising is not possible, there are many excellent bush varieties of cucumber available now. Most of them produce well for a limited amount of space and may be a desirable alternative in a small garden. If vines are not trellised, avoid destroying blossoms or kinking vines by gently rolling the vines away rather than lifting them when searching for harvestable fruit. In non-trellised plantings, organic materials are useful in the summer to return moisture and keep the fruit clean. Working in the vines when leaves are wet could spread disease. Wait until after morning dew or rain evaporates. There has been a significant increase in disease resistance in cucumber varieties in recent years. Select resistant varieties when possible[3]
- Harvesting instructions: Pick, and pick some more! Overly mature cucumbers on the vine will slow production of new cucumbers. Cut the stem rather than pulling at the fruit, as stems are fragile. To increase the quality and storage time, once picked, immediately immerse in cold water to disperse "field heat".
Common Diseases and Pests
- Aphids, Spider mites, Whiteflies, Leafhoppers, Leafmines, Cucumber Beetle, Squash Bug, Nematodes, Angular Leafspot, Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, Mosaic Virus, Verticillium wilt, Sudden wilt, and Belly Rot[3]
Useful Resources
- https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Parisian-Gherkin-Cucumber-Seeds (Seed Source)
- https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Cucumber-Sow-and-Grow-Guide
- https://vric.ucdavis.edu/pdf/cucumber.pdf
- https://sfbaygardening.com/resources/bay-area-planting-calendar/
If you bought this seedling and have any questions or feedback, let us know in the comment section below.