Beit Alpha

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Crisp as fresh-cut glass, Beit Alpha Cucumber delivers a cool, clean snap with a subtly sweet, garden-fresh flavor and a tender, evenly textured bite.

At maturity it forms straight, well-filled fruits with a smooth, dark-green skin that stays pleasantly crisp for salads and quick pickling—ideal for gardeners who want dependable performance at about 50 days. Grow Beit Alpha for abundant, uniform harvests that shine in the bowl and hold their character when preserved.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Vine

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 11th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Beit Alpha keeps a tight, even crunch—more “refreshing snap” than watery filler—so it shines when served cold or pickled quickly. Its mildly sweet, clean flavor plays nicely with bright acid and creamy dairy, without needing heavy seasoning.

Best Uses

ice-cold cucumber salad where the slices stay snappy
quick pickling for fast vinegar-bright crunch
raw crudités with a thick, garlicky dip
topping for sandwiches that won’t collapse into wetness

Flavor Profile

cool, clean cucumber bite subtly sweet garden freshness crisp glassy snap tender, evenly textured flesh

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic yogurt feta white vinegar olive oil

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease issue with Beit Alpha (about 50 days) and how do I fix it quickly?

A frequent problem is powdery mildew, which shows up as a white, dusty coating on leaves in warm, humid spells. Remove the worst affected leaves, then improve airflow by spacing plants and avoiding overhead watering. If it keeps spreading, spray a labeled sulfur or potassium bicarbonate product at the first signs and repeat as directed on the label.

How often should I water Beit Alpha during its main growth phase to get steady growth?

During active growth, keep the top 1 inch of soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, which usually means watering about 1–2 times per week depending on heat. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, then let the surface dry slightly before the next watering. If leaves look limp in the afternoon and soil stays wet, cut back immediately to prevent stress and disease.

How can I tell when Beit Alpha is ready to harvest (around 50 days)?

Harvest when pods/produce reach their full color and size for your variety and the surface looks firm, not soft or shriveled. Check one plant a day earlier than the target if unsure—Beit Alpha is often quick to go from peak to over-mature. If they should be tender, pick when they feel crisp and easy to pierce with minimal pressure; if they’re meant to be firmer, wait until they hold shape fully.