SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Straight Eight

Cucumber
Zone 4a Save Garden

Planting Schedule

Add Straight Eight to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.
Botanical illustration of Straight Eight
56d to harvest

Crisp as cool glass, Straight Eight cucumbers unfurl with a fresh, clean flavor and a tight, tender bite that stays pleasantly snappy. The fruit is characteristically straight and uniformly sized, with a dark green skin and a lightly bumpy, satiny surface that invites slicing for everyday freshness. Ideal for market-style slicing—grow a row for steady harvests and enjoy the garden’s cool, cucumber-scented abundance from early summer through the season’s peak.

Crop Dates

MilestoneDate
Start IndoorsMay 1st
Last FrostMay 15th
Transplant / Sow OutdoorsMay 15th
Harvest BeginsJul 10th
Harvest EndsSep 24th

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity56
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitVine
Support NeededTrellis
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)70
Min Soil Temp (°F)65
Min Night Temp (°F)55
Harden Off (days)10

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Straight Eight in Zone 4a typically begins around 2026-05-15. Wait until soil reaches at least 65°F before transplanting Straight Eight.

Garden Alerts

In Zone 4a, the average last spring frost is around May 15. Watch soil temperature before transplanting Straight Eight.

Recommended Companions

Fernleaf Dill Dill
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Dwarf Cherry Rose Jewel Nasturtium
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Fernleaf Dill
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Whirlybird Series Nasturtium
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Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely to hit Cucumis sativus (Straight Eight) and how can I stop it?
Watch for powdery mildew, which commonly shows up on cucumber leaves as a white, dusty coating and can spread quickly during humid periods. At the first signs, remove the most affected leaves, improve airflow by spacing vines and pruning only lightly, and spray with a labeled fungicide for cucumbers if conditions stay wet/humid. Also avoid wetting foliage—water at the base—because leaf moisture helps the problem escalate.
How often should I water Straight Eight cucumbers during the main growing phase?
During active flowering and fruit set, keep the soil evenly moist with about 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week, increasing if you’re getting hot, dry weather. Water deeply at the base so moisture reaches the root zone, then let the top 1 inch of soil begin to dry slightly before the next watering. Inconsistent watering can cause bitter or misshapen cucumbers, especially once the plants are producing.
Botanical illustration of Straight Eight

Crisp as cool glass, Straight Eight cucumbers unfurl with a fresh, clean flavor and a tight, tender bite that stays pleasantly snappy. The fruit is characteristically straight and uniformly sized, with a dark green skin and a lightly bumpy, satiny surface that invites slicing for everyday freshness. Ideal for market-style slicing—grow a row for steady harvests and enjoy the garden’s cool, cucumber-scented abundance from early summer through the season’s peak.

Today's Conditions

Outdoor planting for Straight Eight in Zone 4a typically begins around 2026-05-15. Wait until soil reaches at least 65°F before transplanting Straight Eight.

Garden Alerts

In Zone 4a, the average last spring frost is around May 15. Watch soil temperature before transplanting Straight Eight.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 65°F and nights stay above 55°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 10 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 Straight Eight, warm soil and careful handling matter most—wait for consistently warm nights or use row cover to prevent early chilling and misshapen fruit.