Bush Pickle

Cucumber

Zone 12a Save Garden

🌱 55d to harvest Vine

Crisp as glass and bright as morning dew, Bush Pickle delivers a tight, refreshing snap with a clean, mild cucumber flavor and a …

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Jan 15th
Last Frost	Jan 1st
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jan 29th
Harvest Begins	Mar 25th
Harvest Ends	Dec 31st

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
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

Recommended Companions

Moonsong Deep Orange Marigold

Superdukat Dill

Whirlybird Series Nasturtium

Jewel Mix Nasturtium

Hera Dill

Alaska Nasturtium Nasturtium

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease issue for Cucumis sativus (bush pickles), and how do I control it?

In cucumbers, powdery mildew is a frequent problem, showing as a white-gray coating on leaves and causing them to yellow early. Start control early by watering at the soil line (not on leaves) and ensuring good airflow by spacing plants and removing heavily affected leaves. If it’s spreading, use a labeled fungicide for cucurbits and reapply according to the label’s schedule, especially during humid periods.

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

During active flowering and fruiting (roughly weeks 4–8), keep soil consistently moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week total, adjusted for heat and rainfall. For bush cucumbers, water deeply 2–3 times per week in hot weather so moisture reaches the root zone, and let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent root stress.

How can I tell when bush pickles (Cucumis sativus) are ready to harvest?

Harvest for pickling when fruits are firm, uniformly green, and about 3–5 inches long (and still tender), which typically lines up with around 55 days to maturity. Check plants daily once they start producing—overgrown cucumbers turn seedy and soft. Use a sharp snip to cut the fruit from the vine, leaving the plant’s stem intact to encourage more harvesting.

Crisp as glass and bright as morning dew, Bush Pickle delivers a tight, refreshing snap with a clean, mild cucumber flavor and a pleasantly firm bite. This pickling cucumber forms compact, uniform fruits that stay wonderfully crisp—ideal for quick-turn jar favorites and for slicing straight from the garden when you want that classic snap. Grow it for dependable harvests around 55 days, with a bushy habit that makes space-saving feel effortless.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 65°F and nights stay above 55°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 12 days first.

Direct Sow Preferred

Sensitive roots — does not transplant well. If starting indoors, use biodegradable pots and disturb roots as little as possible when moving outdoors.

Expert Note

For crisp pickles, keep soil evenly moist and harvest every 1–2 days once fruits reach pickling size.