As a prolific vegetable that’s easy to grow, cucumbers are a staple of many home gardens. And pickling cucumbers are a favorite type to plant for their bumper crops of crunchy, flavorful fruits. But when it comes to harvesting pickling cukes, it can be tricky to know the perfect size to pick them at. So how big do pickling cucumbers get before they’re overripe and unsuitable for pickling? Let’s take a look at when to harvest for peak freshness and flavor.
What are Pickling Cucumbers?
Pickling cucumbers are a variety grown specifically for pickling purposes. They have thinner skins, smaller seeds, and crisper flesh compared to slicing cucumbers Popular varieties include National Pickling, Calypso, and Boston Pickling.
These cukes lend themselves well to the pickling and brining process. Their thin skins allow the pickling liquid to penetrate quickly. And their firm crunchy texture stands up to the preservation process without getting mushy.
Ideal Size for Fresh Eating
If you want to enjoy your pickling cucumbers fresh, the ideal size to harvest them at is 3 to 5 inches long. At this length, the seeds and flesh inside will still be tender and thin. The skin is edible too.
Pickled when young and small, these cucumbers make for excellent eating straight from the vine. Their flavor is mild with a pleasing crunch.
For fresh eating, look for cucumbers that are:
- 3 to 5 inches long
-Firm and free of blemishes - Uniformly green color
Optimal Size for Pickling
Most recipes for pickles, relish, and other preserved cucumber dishes call for cucumbers that are 3 to 4 inches long. This size range maximizes the crunch factor and allows quick penetration of brine or vinegar.
According to the USDA cucumber grading standards, Grade A pickling cucumbers should not exceed 3.5 inches long and 1.25 inches in diameter. The length must be at least 2.25 times the width.
So for pickling purposes, look for cucumbers that are:
- 2.5 to 3.5 inches long
- 1 to 1.25 inches diameter
- Firm, straight, and free of defects
Harvesting cucumbers in this size range will give you the characteristic crunchy bite and texture pickles are known for.
Maximum Size Before Overripe
You definitely don’t want to let your pickling cucumbers grow too large before harvesting. Once they start exceeding 4 inches long, the seeds inside begin to mature and enlarge. This leads to corresponding enlargement of the seed cavity.
Overgrown cucumbers tend to be flabby or hollow in the middle. The flesh also loses its appealing crunch and often becomes bitter.
So once your pickling cukes surpass 4 or 5 inches in length, it’s best to compost them. The quality decline happens quickly once they get oversized.
As a general rule, harvest pickling cucumbers no later than when they are:
- 5 inches long
- 1.5 inches in diameter
- Showing enlarged seed cavity
Harvest Tips
To get a continual harvest of perfect pickling cucumbers:
- Check plants daily and harvest promptly
- Use scissors for clean cuts, don’t pull/tug
- Pick early in the morning when cool
- Handle carefully to avoid bruises and cuts
With attentive harvesting, you’ll get an abundant supply of crunchy cucumbers that are ideal for fresh eating, canning, pickling, and relishes. Just be sure to stay on top of picking them before they surpass the peak size window. Happy cuke picking!
Frequency of entities:
cucumbers – 20
pickling – 15
inches – 10
long – 7
harvest – 5
size – 5
flesh – 3
seeds – 3
diameter – 2
brine – 2
vine – 1
variety – 1
mushy – 1
canning – 1
relishes – 1
overripe – 1
compost – 1
scissors – 1
cuts – 1
bruises – 1
promptly – 1
morning – 1
cool – 1
carefully – 1
abundant – 1
attentive – 1
How to grow and Harvest Pickling Cucumbers
FAQ
How do you know when pickling cucumbers are ready to pick?
Can you eat pickling cucumbers?
Are pickling cucumbers smaller than regular cucumbers?
What should pickling cucumbers look like?
How big does a pickling cucumber grow?
Calypso, Royal, and H-19 Little Leaf are picklers that grow to just around 4 to 6 feet (1-2 m.) in length. If this seems too large, train the vine to grow back in on itself to conserve space. Also, consider growing pickling cucumbers vertically if space is at a premium. Pickalot and National Pickling are revered pickling cukes.
How much water is in one cucumber?
Cucumber Composed basically of water (96%), cucumber has 17 calories per 100g and is a beauty in your daily salad. This food provides potassium, vitamin C and a dose of fiber. Thus, it is a good ally against hypertension, strengthens the immune system, in addition to collaborating for good intestinal functioning.
How long does it take to grow a pickling cucumber?
Cucumbers, pickling or otherwise, are prodigious producers. Pickling cucumbers should be ready to harvest between 50 and 65 days from planting and can be picked over the course of a several weeks. Growing pickling cucumber plants is just like growing other types of cucumber. They prefer a soil pH of 5.5, well-drained soil, and lots of nitrogen.
What is a pickling cucumber?
Some may be large and sliced lengthwise or in rounds and some are small and pickled whole. Pretty much any type of cucumber can be used for pickling, but true “pickling” cucumbers are different than heirlooms, slicers, or Japanese cukes. So what is a pickling cucumber and how do you grow picklers?