Pickling Cucumber
Cucumis sativus 'National Pickling'
vegetableThe go-to cucumber for home pickles. Short blocky fruits 3 to 4 inches long with thin warty skin, crisp flesh, and very low moisture — exactly what keeps pickles crunchy. Prolific, quick to mature, and much better-tasting fresh than the name suggests.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 2 days
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Harvest
~55 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
annual
One season, then done
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Spacing
12-18 in (trellised) or 24-36 in (sprawling)
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Planting Depth
1/2-1 in
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
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; side-dress with compost when vines start to run
Fertilizer
Balanced fertilizer or compost; avoid high nitrogen after vines set
🌱 Growing Guide
Direct sow after last frost when soil is above 60 F, or start indoors 3 weeks early and transplant carefully. Provide a trellis or let vines sprawl on clean mulch. Pick every 2 days at 3 to 4 inches; overripe cucumbers turn yellow and signal the plant to stop producing. Keep well-watered to prevent bitterness. Mulch to retain moisture and prevent soil splash that spreads disease.
Planting Calendar
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Start seeds indoors
Mar 25
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Transplant outdoors
Apr 29
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Projected first harvest
Jun 23
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Radish — Deters cucumber beetles
- Nasturtium — Trap crop for aphids away from cucumbers
- Corn — Provides light afternoon shade in hot climates
- Dill — Attracts beneficial insects; do not plant near dill flowering stage
❌ Keep away from
PotatoSage
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
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 leaves
Not a major threat to cucumbers; monitor for look-alike damage
Ensure good airflow; apply neem oil or potassium bicarbonate at first sign
Water spray; introduce lacewings; reflective mulch deters arrivals
🌾 Harvest & storage
Pick at 3 to 4 inches for best pickle texture. Larger fruits become seedy and softer. Pick daily once the season peaks. Use within 2 days for freshest pickles, or refrigerate up to 1 week.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Low-calorie and hydrating. Good source of vitamin K and small amounts of potassium. Pickling liquid adds sodium; fresh cucumbers are very low in sodium.
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.