Vorgebirgstrauben Cucumber

Vorgebirgstrauben Cucumber (*Cucumis sativus*)

Vorgebirgstrauben is a traditional German pickling cucumber associated with the Vorgebirge foothills of the Rhineland, west of Cologne. Its name refers to the region and its grape-like clusters of fruit along the vines. This open-pollinated heirloom has a long association with German home gardens, where it has been grown for preserving cucumbers for use throughout the year.

The vigorous plants produce abundant crops of short, cylindrical, dark-green cucumbers with a bumpy, spiny skin. The fruits typically measure around 7–9 cm long when harvested for pickling. Regular picking while the cucumbers are young encourages continued production, and the fruits are well suited to making gherkins, cornichons and traditional mustard pickles.

The flesh is crisp, mild and lightly aromatic, making these cucumbers useful for both preserving and fresh eating. Their small size and firm texture suit whole-fruit pickling, while larger fruits can be sliced for salads and other fresh dishes.

One of the qualities I particularly appreciate is the extended production season. My plants were still producing at the end of September, continuing to provide cucumbers late into the growing season here in British Columbia.

Vorgebirgstrauben is an open-pollinated variety, allowing seed to be saved from healthy plants when appropriate isolation from other cucumber varieties has been maintained. Its productive vines and traditional culinary uses make it a useful addition to a garden focused on growing food for both fresh eating and winter storage.

An old German pickling cucumber with crisp fruit, abundant production and a long harvest season.