'Shintokiwa' Cucumber

Cucumis sativus

Origin: Japan, via New York

Improvement status: Cultivar

Seeds per packet: ~35

Germination tested 10/2025: 96%

Life cycle: Annual

Our friends at Turtle Tree Seeds — the wonderful biodynamic seed company that is part of Camphill Village in Copake, NY, an "integrated life-sharing community" which has people with developmental differences at its core — introduced this excellent cucumber to the United States. We're so grateful they did. It's incredibly productive, but also exceedingly delicious. Thin-skinned, smooth, and long, these dark-skinned cucumbers are beautiful too. The flavor is sweeter than most cucumbers. You might just find you don't want any other cucumbers once you try it! Our seeds were grown by Kass McKinnon and Clint Freund in Wisconsin.

GROWING TIPS: Direct seed after danger of last frost or transplant healthy plant starts after danger of last frost. Plants should be 12-16 inches apart. 'Gagon' likes to climb and would prefer a trellis. However, they will eventually sprawl if they must. If you're trellising, rows could be 4-5 feet apart. If you're letting them sprawl, rows could be 5-7 feet apart. Prefers full sun.