Wisconsin SMR 58

Family: Cucurbitaceae Vegetable

Crisp as a cool morning breeze, Wisconsin SMR 58 delivers tight, uniform pickling cucumbers with a refreshing snap and a clean, bright flavor that stays lively from garden to jar.

Expect slender, deep-green fruits with a subtly bumpy, bristled texture and a classic “snappy” bite—ideal for pickling where texture matters most. Grow them for dependable, early-season harvests around 50 days, and enjoy the satisfaction of a steady, garden-fresh supply.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Vine

Botanical illustration of Wisconsin SMR 58

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

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	May 2nd
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 16th
Harvest Begins	Jul 5th
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)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

This pickling cucumber is built for crunch: the bumpy exterior and tight interior stay firm through brine, so your jar contents don’t go limp. Use it for high-snappiness pickles—where the bite is the whole point—and season with sharp garlic and spice for lift.

Best Uses

jar pickles that need firm crunch (whole or spears)
quick fridge pickles with garlic and pepper
thin slices for snappy cucumber-yogurt salads
hot-pack pickle batches where you want texture to survive the heat

Flavor Profile

tight, high-crisp bite clean, bright cucumber flavor subtly bristled, bumpy texture that holds shape balanced acidity after brining

Kitchen Pairings

garlic black pepper white vinegar fresh dill mustard seed

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most common on Cucumis sativus (cucumber) and how do I control it?

In home gardens, cucumber beetles and bacterial wilt are common—look for small yellow/green beetles and sudden wilting of young plants. Use row cover right after sowing to block beetles, then remove it when plants begin flowering for pollinators. If bacterial wilt or severe wilt symptoms appear, pull and destroy affected plants and avoid replanting cucumbers in the same spot for at least 3 years.

How often should I water Cucumis sativus during the main growing phase?

During active vine growth and fruiting, keep soil evenly moist, watering about 1–2 inches per week total depending on heat and rainfall. Water deeply at the base of plants (not leaves) 1–2 times per week so the root zone stays consistently damp but never waterlogged. Mulch helps stabilize moisture and reduces bitter, thin-skinned cucumbers caused by irregular watering.

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

Harvest cucumbers at peak size and before seeds fully harden—most slicer types are typically ready around 50 days from sowing or sooner once vines begin producing. Pick when fruits reach the expected length for your plants (commonly firm, medium length) and when they still feel crisp and cool, using a knife or pruners to avoid tearing vines. Check plants every 1–2 days in warm weather because cucumbers can become seedy and less flavorful if left too long.