National Pickling Cucumber
This open-pollinated, heirloom variety produces heavy yields of blunt, thick cucumbers that are dark green with black spines. The ends are slightly tapered so that they fit and pack into a pickle jar extremely well. This is a prolific variety with continued production and many harvests throughout the growing season. National Pickling Cucumber can be harvested at 2-3″ for gherkin-style pickles, or allowed to reach 4-5″ for fresh eating. At their peak quality and size, cucumbers are about 6″ long. This is a great variety for making cucumber salads or fresh vegetable trays, but it is known for the high-quality pickles that can be made with them. Slice them to make traditional hamburger chip pickles, or quarter them to make delicious pickle spears that fit perfectly into a jar.
Details:
Plant life cycle: annual
Site: full sun
Days to germinate: 5-10 days
Germination temperature: 70-80F
Days to maturity: 55- 60 days
Seed depth: 1/2" deep
Plant spacing: 12"
Row spacing :5-6' feet apart
Approx seeds per packet : 30
How to grow:
Before Planting: Requires warm, well-drained soil high in fertility, with a pH of 7.0 for best results. Consistent moisture is needed to produce an high yields of good size cucumbers. Cucumbers do not tolerate cold so sow after any possibility of frost has passed. Make sure both soil and air temperatures have warmed prior to planting.
Planting: For direct seeding, wait until soil is warm, at least 70°F. Cucumber seeds will not germinate at a soil temperature below 50°F. Sow 2-3 seeds/ft., 1/2″ deep, in rows 6′ apart. Thin to 12″ apart. For transplanting, sow indoors in at 1-2 seeds per cell, 3-4 weeks before transplanting. Thin to 1 seedling per cell when true leaves form. Keep temperature above 70°F day and 60°F at night. Transplant 12″ apart in rows 5-6′ apart. Do not disturb roots when transplanting. Peat pots work best to reduce stunting and transplant shock.
Watering: Water 1 inch per week. Water consistently, because inconsistent watering can create misshapen cucumbers.
Fertilizer: When planting, mix compost with a little bit of organic fertilizer. During growth, use liquid fertilizer and apply directly to the soil near the stem. Granular fertilizer also can be used, but work it into the soil around the
plant. Feed with fertilizer regularly.
Growing Tips: Needs abundant soil moisture and rich soil. Some afternoon shade is beneficial in hottest summer weather. To maximize the amount of cucumbers and decrease leaves, use a trellis or tomato cage to grow the cucumbers. Harvest frequently to maintain production.
Harvesting: Once fruit bearing begins, pick daily to ensure steady harvest