Tanja

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Crisp as morning dew, Tanja Beit Alpha cucumbers bring a bright, clean snap with a subtly sweet, fresh flavor and a tender, thin skin that stays pleasantly smooth.

At maturity, the fruits develop an elegant, slender-to-medium shape and a deep green sheen that looks as good as it tastes—ideal for slicing fresh or turning into vivid, tangy pickles. Grow Tanja for a steady harvest rhythm around day 52, when vines reward you with consistently market-ready cucumbers.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 52 DaysHabit: Vine

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 25th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 9th
Harvest Begins	Jun 30th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	52
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	12

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Tanja Beit Alpha cucumbers are built for that first bite—cool, snappy, and clean, with a tender skin that doesn’t turn gritty. They also pickle with confidence: crisp texture up front, tang that cuts through dairy and salt like a sharp little blade.

Best Uses

fresh slices for crunchy snacking and salad building
quick-pickle or fridge pickle for vivid tang (thin skin stays pleasantly smooth)
tossed with yogurt/garlic sauces where you want crunch, not mush

Flavor Profile

bright, clean cucumber snap subtly sweet, fresh flavor tender, thin skin—smooth on the bite cool, lightly watery crunch

Kitchen Pairings

lemon garlic Greek yogurt white vinegar feta cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common pest problem for Cucumis sativus (cucumber) and how can I control it early?

Cucumber beetles are a top issue for Cucumis sativus and can spread bacterial wilt. Check leaves and stems daily for small yellow/green beetles and feeding scars, then use row cover after sowing until flowering to prevent egg laying. If you see active feeding, apply an insecticidal soap to the undersides of leaves and re-check every 2–3 days for reinfestation.

How often should I water cucumber (Cucumis sativus) during peak growth, and what soil moisture should I maintain?

During the main growing phase (vining and fruit set), keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for the top 1 inch to stay evenly damp. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week depending on heat, and increase to more frequent watering during hot, windy weather so cucumbers don’t dry out between rains. Mulch around plants to reduce moisture swings that can trigger bitter fruit and uneven growth.

How do I tell when Cucumis sativus is ready to harvest?

Harvest when fruits are firm, reach the typical target size for your plants, and have a glossy skin—use a gentle tug; cucumbers should detach easily with a short stem. Start checking around the middle of the 50-day window (about day 45–52) and harvest regularly because leaving overripe cucumbers on the vine reduces new flowering and makes later fruits smaller.