National Pickling Cucumber (52 Days)

The National Pickling Cucumber is the old standby that still provides a nice combination of earliness and abundant yields. Fruit can be used at any size, growing to be 5 1/2 inches long, 2 1/2 inches wide, and a dark mottled green. Vines are rambling and prolific.

 20 seeds

PLANTING

Cucumis sativus

Germination: 4-10 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 70-85ºF

Seed Sowing Depth: 1/2-1" deep

Sowing Indoors: 3-4 weeks before last frost. Provide 70-85ºF soil temperature. Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot. Sowing into individual biodegradable peat/cow pots reduces root damage when transplanting. Transplant 36-48" apart after last frost. 

Sowing Outdoors: Sow after last frost when soil temperature is over 70ºF. Sow a few seeds every 36-48". 

Harvest: Check and pick every day to keep the harvest flowing.

Tips: The National Pickling Cucumber should be planted in fertile soil, amended with compost or well rotted manure and kept well watered. Trellising the vines allows for good air circulation, takes up less space and provides shade for heat sensitive crops like lettuce. They benefit from growing on black plastic and by using row covers for weed, insect control, and more rapid growth.