How to Plant Pickling Cucumbers

Once you grow pickling cucumbers, you will never go back to slicing cucumber again. Not only as these cucumbers bred to be used for pickles they are a delicious fresh cucumber that can be eaten right from the garden. Although some do have small spines they are easily wiped away with a soft cloth, or if you are a real gardener, on the jeans. These crisp mild fruits provide a quick snack and are great in salads, too. The trick of course it to pick them while they are small and eat them peel and all.

Things You'll Need

• Garden tools
• Manure
• Compost
• Water-soluble fertilizer
• Cucumber seeds

Instructions

1. Plant pickling cucumbers in the spring after the last expected frost in your area. Although many people start cucumbers by seed inside prior to the last frost thinking they will get a head start on the season, they are wrong. Cucumbers seeds started in the garden at the same time as you set out seedlings will catch up with the seedlings within weeks and produce fruit at the same time. Save yourself the effort and plant cucumber seeds right in the garden once the soil has warmed.

2. Select an area that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. Prepare the soil by tilling to a depth of 8 inches and remove any rocks or debris found in the soil. Mark the row with the edge of the hoe. Mix well-rotted manure or compost into the row and plant your seeds to s depth of 1/2 inch, spaced 4 to 6 inches apart. Firm the soil down with your hands to remove air pockets and settle the seeds.

3. Water thoroughly and keep evenly moist until the seeds germinate. Cucumbers sprout within a week and may emerge sooner depending on the weather and condition of the soil. Thin cucumbers to 8 inches apart once they have developed the second set of leaves.

4. Side dress cucumbers with manure or commercial fertilizer just as they begin to lay down and vine. Use a hoe or hand tiller to work the fertilizer into the soil around the plants. Avoid disturbing young roots.

5. Water weekly or whenever the soil becomes dry. Cucumbers thrive with plenty of water, but do need well-drained soil. Apply water-soluble fertilizer every 10 to 14 days once the vines bloom and begin to set fruit.

6. Harvest pickling cucumbers when they are 3 to 4 inches long. Pick all fruit everyday to encourage the vines to produce more cucumbers. Discard any fat or yellowing cucumbers to prolong fruit production. Once fruit begins to ripen and turn yellow, it sends the message to the plant that its job is done and the plant will cease production.

Tips & Warnings

• Fresh cucumbers eaten peel and all are a low calorie snack that is sure to brighten your day. Place cucumbers in a bin of ice water to restore crispness.

Resources

• Pickling Cucumber Seeds