Cucumis sativus 'Kirby'
vegetableThe classic New York deli pickle cucumber. Short, bumpy, thin-skinned fruits 3 to 5 inches long with a reliably crisp texture and classic cucumber flavor. The variety behind countless jars of half-sour and full-sour deli pickles. Also excellent eaten fresh. Very prolific and one of the best cucumber varieties for both fresh eating and pickling.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 2 days
Harvest
~55 days
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
Spacing
12-18 in (trellised)
Planting Depth
1/2-1 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
At planting with compost; side-dress lightly when vines start to run
Fertilizer
Balanced fertilizer or compost; avoid high nitrogen after vines run
Direct sow after last frost when soil is above 60 F, or transplant 3-week-old starts carefully. Provide a trellis for best production and disease prevention. Pick every 2 days at 3 to 5 inches — overripe fruits yellow and signal the plant to stop producing. Keep consistently moist to prevent bitterness. Mulch to retain moisture and reduce soil splash that spreads disease.
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
Row cover until flowering; yellow sticky traps; kaolin clay on young plants
Space for good airflow; neem oil or potassium bicarbonate spray at first sign
Avoid overhead watering; remove infected leaves; copper spray
Reflective mulch; water blast; insecticidal soap
Pick at 3 to 5 inches for best flavor and crispness for fresh eating or pickling. For half-sour pickles, pick at 4 to 5 inches with smooth bumpy skin. For fresh use, pick at 3 to 4 inches. Check plants every other day in peak season. Use within 3 to 5 days for freshest pickles. Refrigerate if not processing immediately.
Low-calorie and hydrating. Good source of vitamin K, potassium, and silica. Pickled Kirby cucumbers add probiotics if lacto-fermented. Very low in calories with high water content.
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.