These case of cucumbers will give you plenty of cuke for fresh eating , pickling , and share with friends .
Cucumbers , like tomatoes , are available in many more size , shapes , and even nip than you ’ll regain at your local foodstuff store . The traditional 8 - in - long fade cucumber is a valuablesalad ingredient , but the world ofcucumbersoffers many more crisp , tasty options . Some varieties produce fruit that resembles mini melons and other types have stocky , setaceous fruit that is perfect for pickling . All these cucumbers generally fall into the four main groups described here . try on planting several different ones to experience all that cukes have to proffer .
Pickling Types
Keller & Keller
Affectionately known as “ picklers , ” pickle cucumber types farm poor , blockish yield . If left on the vine too long , the fruit will develop into thick , oval - shaped , overripe cucumbersbound for the compost wad . The big challenge of grow pickle type is harvest time . Best glean when they are just 2 to 4 inches long , pickling cucumber demand day-to-day harvest time to ensure the tight - grow fruit do not grow too large and become tough and bitter . Store reap cucumbersin the refrigerator for up to one hebdomad .
Pickling cucumbers are excellent formaking pickles and relishesas their name indicates , and they can also be relish raw . Their crunchy physique add crisp texture to salads and sandwiches . Great pickling varieties admit ‘ Fresh Pickles , ’ which is grown both for pickling and slicing . ‘ Endeavor ’ has dark green flesh and proficient disease electrical resistance . ‘ Boston Pickling ’ is an heirloom mixture date back to 1880 .
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Slicers
Most usually available in the grocery store and at farmer ’s markets , slicers are typically use up raw . The prospicient , svelte fruit has a thicker skin and slightly softer flesh than pickling cucumbers . fade cucumber can be harvested at any duration but are most flavorful when harvested at 8 inches or so . If left on the vine too long , they ’ll become acrimonious , and their seeds will harden .
Expect slicer cucumbers to have a crunchy grain and a modest , cherubic nip . Unlike the bland , spongy slicers from the grocery fund , homegrown slicers are more crisp and flavourous . wait them to bestandout salad toppersor countenance them take heart stageas an appetiser .
Great slicer cucumbers include ‘ Merlin ’ Hybrid , prise for its fast growth and gamy yield of 5- to 7 - column inch fruit . ‘ Straight Eight ’ is an heirloom variety from 1935 that has stood the test of time thanks to its reliably majuscule mouthful . Pick ‘ Straight Eight ’ when fruit is 2 to 4 inches long for pickle or harvest at 6 to 8 inch for sweet eating . ‘ Lunchbox ’ is a prolific manufacturer of small or great fruit — reap them any time before theskins turn over scandalmongering . Expect more than 130 yield per vine .
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International Favorites
Cucumis sativus have been grown for more than 3,000 years and plant scientist believe these dear vegetable start in India or western Asia . Unique , external varieties are often heirloom in their country of origin . These international traveler are gaining a following in North America , especially when gardener realise the signally long or distinctly coloured fruit are just aseasy to growas a slicer variety and get delightful diverseness to the table .
A few favorites include ‘ Beit Alpha , ’ which is grown for its sweet nip and exceptionally thin pelt . ‘ Suyo Long ’ is a seedless , soft - flavor variety from northerly China that grows about 18 in long . ‘ China Jade ’ has come to chicken - green flesh and prospicient , thin - skinned yield .
Heirlooms
A small group of Cucumis sativus , heirlooms are often uniquely shaped . In fact , you might err some of these cucumber for melons or lilliputian squash . They are just as easy to get as the more common varieties of cucumbers and their recollective heritage talk to their prise flavor . ‘ stinker ’ is an American darling for more than 100 years . It produces round fruit with tripping yellow pelt and soma with a soft , sweet flavor . savour them refreshing or use them to make crunchy muddle . ‘ Mexican Sour Gherkin ’ develop tangy yield that looks like miniature watermelons . This variety has a cucumber - like gustatory sensation with a gimmick of maize .
Small Space Solutions
Cucumberscan be grown in potsorraised beds . Grow the vigorous vines up a strong trellis , loop the vines on the trellis as needed . cuke are vigorous vine ; the best trellis are at least 6 foot grandiloquent and well anchored in the dirt or to a nearby structure .
If trellis is n’t a adept choice , several President Bush - type variety show are available . Bush character cucumber circulate just 2 to 3 feet . Expect traditional varieties to ramble 8 to 10 feet in all directions . slicer and picklers are most commonly available as bush eccentric . A few favorites include ‘ Bush Champion ’ and ‘ Picklebush . ’
Credit: Jon Jensen
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
