How to Grow the Seed of Pickling Cucumbers
While any type of cucumber can be used for pickling, varieties sold as pickling cucumbers have thinner skin and are usually not as long as other cucumber varieties. This allows them to better soak up the brine solution in pickling, as well as ensuring they are a length that easily fits into pickling jars. Growing pickling cucumbers from seed is the same as growing salad cucumbers, though they must be harvested more often than other cucumber varieties. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Apply a 2-inch layer of compost over a well-draining garden bed that receives full sunlight. Till the compost into the soil to a 10-inch depth. This adds nutrients to the soil and helps add additional drainage to the bed.
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Sow cucumber seeds in rows, spacing each plant 12 inches apart in the row and spacing the rows 2 feet apart. Sow the seeds to a ½ inch depth; lightly cover them with soil.
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Water thoroughly after planting. Provide 1 to 2 inches of water per plant once weekly in a single deep watering. Additional watering may be necessary during extended dry periods.
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Lay a 2-inch layer of organic mulch over the bed once seedlings are 4 inches tall. Mulching preserves soil moisture and prevents weeds, important because weeding around cucumber plants is difficult as they have shallow root systems.
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Fertilize with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, following label instructions, once the cucumber plants begin producing vines. Apply the fertilizer to the soil 6 inches away from the stem so it doesn't come in direct contact with the roots and burn them.
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Harvest the pickling cucumbers as they reach the preferred size, 6 to 8 inches for most varieties. Harvest daily to encourage further fruit set and remove any over-ripe cucumbers from the plant or the vine will stop producing.
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Tips & Warnings
Plant cucumber seeds in the garden once all danger of frost has passed in spring and the soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees F.
Grow bush varieties of cucumbers or support vine types on a trellis, stake or in a cage if you desire straight fruits.
Aphids and cucumber beetles are the primary pests of cucumbers. Use insecticidal soap to control aphids. Use row covers on young plants to prevent beetles or use the proper pesticide.
