Tanja

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Tanja to a garden.

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

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Tanja Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Jun 15th	Jun 29th	Aug 20th – Jul 15th
Zone 1b	Jun 1st	Jun 15th	Aug 6th – Aug 1st
Zone 2a	May 25th	Jun 8th	Jul 30th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	May 15th	May 29th	Jul 20th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	May 15th	May 29th	Jul 20th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	May 19th	Jun 2nd	Jul 24th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	May 15th	May 29th	Jul 20th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	May 13th	May 27th	Jul 18th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	May 8th	May 22nd	Jul 13th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	May 4th	May 18th	Jul 9th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	May 1st	May 15th	Jul 6th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Apr 25th	May 9th	Jun 30th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Apr 20th	May 4th	Jun 25th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Apr 10th	Apr 24th	Jun 15th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Apr 1st	Apr 15th	Jun 6th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Mar 23rd	Apr 6th	May 28th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Mar 6th	Mar 20th	May 11th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Feb 9th	Feb 23rd	Apr 16th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

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.