Heirloom National Pickling Cucumber (3g)

National Pickling Cucumber is an heirloom dating back to 1924. It is an excellent producer of fruit measuring 6 to 7 inches.

The National Pickling Cucumber works great for pickling as its thin, tender skin allows fruit to take in spices easily! Sometimes it is known by its other name, The National Pickler. The average time to maturity is 54 days.

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Heirloom National Pickling Cucumber Planting Instructions

Experience the joy of growing your own cucumbers. Here are your essential tips to get started:

• Cold Sensitivity: Cucumbers thrive in warmth. Wait for soil temperatures to reach above 50°F for successful germination.

Planting Guidelines

Direct seed your cucumber plants 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep. Opt for rows or hills; rows should be 2 inches apart with 5 to 6 feet between them, whereas hills should contain 3 to 6 seeds each, with 3 to 5 feet between each hill. Remember to thin as needed.

• Protective Measures: Use black plastic mulch and row covers to warm the soil and protect the plants.

Indoor Start

Start sowing indoors with 3 seeds per 2-inch pot, 3 to 5 weeks before transplanting. Keep the temperature above 70°F during the day and above 60°F at night.

• Transplanting Tips: Handle roots carefully when moving plants to the garden after frost risk has passed.

Continuous Harvest

For a season-long cucumber supply, make plantings every 2 to 3 weeks until 3 months before the first fall frost.

• Fertilizer Requirements: Ensure soil fertility and adequate nitrogen supply. Watch for yellow leaves or leaf bronzing as signals of deficiencies.
• Rotation: To decrease pest and disease risks, avoid planting cucumbers in the same location for 2 consecutive years.

Heirloom National Pickling Cucumber Harvesting Instructions

Generally the time to harvest for cucumbers is approximately 60 to 70 days from planting to harvest. Cucumbers can be picked at any time there is fruit, depending on the cucumber variety and use of the fruit.

Cucumbers should be picked early in the morning and refrigerated immediately. The larger a cucumber gets, the more of its flavor is lost—becoming bitter and unpalatable. Cucumbers that have turned yellow are past their peak.

Once the first cucumbers are ready to be harvested, cut the vine about a 1/2 inch above the fruit. Harvest all of the vegetables before maturity to ensure quality fruits and higher yields. During harvest time, cucumbers should be picked at least every other day, with daily harvesting being ideal.

Saving Seeds

Slice fruit lengthwise and scrape seeds out with spoon. Allow seeds and jelly-like liquid to sit in jar at room temperature for 3 or 4 days. Fungus will start to form on top. Stir daily.

Jelly will dissolve and good seeds will sink to bottom while remaining debris and immature seeds can be rinsed away. Spread seeds on a paper towel or screen until dry.