Cucumis sativus 'Boston Pickling'
vegetableBoston Pickling is the classic American pickling cucumber, in commercial seed catalogs since 1877. The vigorous vines bear an abundance of 3 to 6 inch fruits with thin bumpy skin, dense crisp flesh, and a small seed cavity, which is what makes them so reliable for crunchy whole-pack pickles. Also excellent fresh.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 2 days
Harvest
~55 days
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
Spacing
6-12 in in row, 36-48 in between rows
Planting Depth
1 in
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 10
Grown as an annual. This range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Pre-plant; side-dress at first true leaves and again at flowering
Fertilizer
10-10-10 at planting; side-dress with nitrogen (calcium nitrate or fish emulsion)
Direct-sow seeds after all frost danger has passed and soil reaches 65F. Plant 1 in deep, 6 in apart in rows 36 to 48 in apart, or in hills of 3 to 4 seeds spaced 4 ft apart. Trellising saves space and keeps fruit clean. Cucumbers need consistent moisture and heat; mulch and even watering prevent bitterness. Pick young (3 to 5 in) and pick often to keep the vines producing through frost.
Start seeds indoors
Mar 25
Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
Projected first harvest
Jun 23
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Floating row cover until female flowers open; remove for pollination; the beetles also vector bacterial wilt
Manage cucumber beetles aggressively (they are the only vector); remove and bag wilted vines immediately
Water at the base, prune for airflow, and use weekly milk spray or sulfur in humid weather
Crush egg clusters under leaves weekly; trap adults under wooden boards laid on the ground overnight
Boston Pickling matures in 52 to 58 days. Pick at 2 to 6 in for pickles, or up to 5 to 6 in for fresh eating. Harvest every 1 to 2 days; missed fruit grow huge and the vine stops setting new cucumbers. Use a knife or pruners to avoid bruising the vine. Process or refrigerate within hours of picking for the crispest pickles.
About 15 calories per 100 g with 0.5 g fiber, 2.8 mg vitamin C, and 147 mg potassium. Cucumbers are 95 percent water and supply cucurbitacins (the mild bitter compounds) which research has linked to anti-inflammatory activity.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.