Homemade Pickles

Cucumber

55d to harvest

Crisp as a fresh snap and richly perfumed with classic cucumber fragrance, “Homemade Pickles” delivers slender, deep-green fruits with a tight, crunchy bite. The skin stays pleasantly tender and the flesh remains firm, making these cucumbers a standout for small-batch pickling—ideal for turning into tangy jars and relish with confidence. Grow them for a steady harvest of uniform, pickling-ready cucumbers that reward every visit to the garden with bright, refreshing color.

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Apr 1st
Last Frost	Apr 1st
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 15th
Harvest Begins	Jun 9th
Harvest Ends	Nov 5th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Vine
Support Needed	Trellis
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	75
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	12

Recommended Companions

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest commonly damages Cucumis sativus (pickling cucumbers), and what should I do if I see it?

Watch for cucumber beetles (striped or spotted); they can spread bacterial wilt and chew holes in leaves. Use floating row cover right after sowing, remove covers only when plants start flowering, and use an insecticidal soap targeted at beetles in the early morning. If you spot wilting with yellowing/browned stems, pull and discard affected plants to limit spread.

How do I tell when my Cucumis sativus pickling cucumbers are ready to harvest?

Harvest pickling cucumbers when they are firm and appropriately sized for pickling—typically around 3–5 inches (7–13 cm) long, depending on what you prefer for crunch. Pick every 1–2 days once they start producing, because leaving them to overgrow reduces new flowering and can lead to tougher, more seedy fruit. For best flavor, harvest in the cool part of the day and pickle promptly.